Howard Dean Adams

Howard Dean Adams, 96 of Belleview, Florida, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Grace Davis Hall House in Ocala, Florida.

A graveside service will be held 3:00 Saturday November 8, 2025,, at Belleview Cemetery. A repast supper reception will be held at the Ocala home of his daughter Denise Adams McCauley following the service.

Howard Dean was born in Nashville, TN to Foster and Verdye Adams on October 10, 1929. In his senior year of high school he won the national Dr I.Q. radio contest after entering an essay on Alexander Graham Bell. He shared his cash prize of $435 (equivalent of $5300 in today’s purchasing power) with his graduating class of 17 seniors so they could all purchase their varsity letterman jackets and sweaters.

He graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1948 and soon after left his Tennessee family farm home for a summer vacation to Miami Florida. While visiting he obtained employment at the landmark and historic Shell’s Super Store, made a lot of new friends and reveled in the year-round balmy weather. He had found his paradise and resolved to never leave Florida.

He served in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War serving overseas in Germany.

A bachelor at age 39 he was introduced to Mary Adams in 1969 by a golfing buddy. They soon married and settled down in the Virginia Gardens neighborhood of Miami before moving to Belleview in 1972. He worked over 30 years for Evans Septic Tanks and Ready Mix and enjoyed his many years of septic tank and concrete sales work there alongside his longtime boss and friend Sonny Evans.

Howard Dean was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Raymond, wife Mary, stepsons David Fox and Kenny Fox.

Howard Dean is survived by his daughters Lisa Walker Sickmon (Paul), Denise Adams McCauley (Kevin), grandchildren Jessie Fox, Nicole Fox, Adam Walker, Rachel Walker and great grandchild Alyzen Walker.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Marion County.

The family of Howard Dean Adams wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Anju Vasudevan for all her many years of kind care keeping him healthy since his “poor prognosis” from a chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis in 2006. We also extend heartfelt appreciation to Hospice of Marion County for their compassionate end of life care.

Arrangements are by Hiers Baxley Funeral Services.