Rodney Dean Adams

Rod Adams passed away peacefully at the Mountain View Living Center at the Sheridan VA Medical Center on June 13, 2026.

     Rod was born to David and Roene (Veach) Adams on August 17, 1946, at the Reynolds Home in Sheridan, WY. He grew up in the Beaver Creek Hills West of Sheridan. From his early days he had a curious mind and a love of the natural world. Rod worked hard his entire life and poured his abundant energy into his family, his community and mastery of several hobbies including woodworking, gardening, photography, and birding.

     Rod enjoyed growing up on Beaver Creek and spoke fondly of his early days, when after school and chores, he could slip away with his dog and explore the natural world in the shadow of the Bighorns. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1964 and volunteered for the army and served as an aircrew chief. He was deployed in Germany, Italy, and Vietnam and honorably discharged. He worked at Fletcher Construction where he met many new and lifelong friends and developed his craft of finish carpentry. He married Jane (Ridle) Sowada in 1972, and they were married for 54 years. He worked at Decker Coal for over 20 years. His final job, which gave him so much enjoyment, was care-taking the Trail End State Historic Site, (Kendrick Mansion) where he took meticulous care of the gardens and shared his (sometimes colorful) knowledge of local history with visitors.

     Rod’s family appreciated his adventurous spirit, best experienced while camping, backpacking or taking pictures with him in the Bighorn Mountains. His family referred to him as the “mountain goat” for his propensity to walk long distances and disappear over mountain ridges with his camera, seeking the next great moose or elk photo.

     Rod attracted a wonderful community of friends who appreciated his warmth, generosity, and humor. In his later years his passion for the natural world shifted and he and Jane spent many hours tending their beautiful yard and garden. During the summer months friends and family who stopped by were invited into the backyard to visit and enjoy the vividly beautiful flowers and gardens and the accompanying variety of birds. His enthusiasm and passion attracted friends of all varieties.

     Rod was beloved and survived by his wife Jane, his two sons David (Soraya) and Tony, two grandchildren Christopher and Carlos who he shared knowledge and adventures with, his brother Warren (Deb) and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents David and Roene Adams, brothers Larry Adams and Roger Adams, and a very special daughter-in-law Cate Edgell Adams. A Celebration of Life will be determined at a later date. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.