Adney Brown Stean

Adney Brown Stean, named after his father and grandfather before him, passed away on June 17, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 79. A resident of Monument, Colorado, since 2022 after relocating from Riverside, Missouri, he returned home to be with his heavenly father.

Adney was born in Bonner Springs, Kansas on August 12, 1946. After graduating from Bonner Springs High School in 1965, he answered a calling to serve, enlisting in the U.S. Navy. His tours took him to Vietnam, mainland Japan, and Okinawa, Japan. During his service, he earned his Associate's Degree, completed Military Police School, and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy with honors in 1988, after 22 years of faithful service.

While stationed in mainland, Japan, Adney met the love of his life, Akemi, introduced by his dear friend Mary Hasegawa. They were married on December 8, 1977. They started their family in Okinawa, Japan, where their children, Troy, Grace, and Gayle, were born. Adney's life was distinguished by two different adventures, the first in service to his country, followed by raising his children in Japan, California, New Mexico, and ultimately settling in Missouri, not far from where he grew up.

Adney loved his family more than anything, and that love extended outward — he took great joy in attending the weddings of his nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, never missing a chance to celebrate family. An adventurer at heart in his Navy days, he loved snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean and the Yellow Sea, gathering a notable collection of seashells along the way. He was an avid fisherman, always happiest with a line in the water. He also developed a deep love for sushi, a fitting passion for a man who'd spent a part of his life in Japan and by the sea. As he and his family moved around the country, his faith was a constant throughout his life, and he was active in his church throughout the years, in Garden Grove, California; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Riverside, Missouri; and Monument, Colorado. In his later years, his brother in Christ, Ed Karnes, helped keep him connected to his church family.

Adney is survived by his wife Akemi Stean; his son Troy Stean; daughters Grace Stean (Adam Stevens) and Gayle Stean; beloved grandchildren Chiyoko, Luke, Neon, and Vera; brother Larry Stean of Tonganoxie, KS; sisters Izzie Klassen of Hillsboro, KS, and Wendy Verdict of Edwardsville, KS; many nieces and nephews; many more great nieces and nephews; extended family and countless friends. Adney was preceded in death by father Adney Cornelius Stean; mother Alma Lee (nee Worthington) Stean; grandfather Adney Smokey Stean; sister Sandra Kay Stean; and aunt and uncle, Ronald and Louise Stean, who held a place in his heart like second parents.

Services will be held in honor of Adney on Friday, June 26, 2026, with visitation hours from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and funeral services with United States Navy honors at 3:00 PM. The family asks that guests please wear green in honor of Adney.

Family reception to follow later in the evening of Friday, June 26, 2026; please check back for additional information.