Obituary of Dean Coltrin

Harold Dean Coltrin passed peacefully on February 13, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.  Dean was born on March 11, 1928, in Burley, Idaho, to Ether and Gwendolyn Coltrin. He was the third of eleven children in the Coltrin family.

While he was still young his family moved to Boise with his grandparents. They initially stayed at the Old Soldiers Home where his grandparents were working. Dean’s father, mother and family moved around the Treasure Valley and called Boise home.

As a young man, Dean had a paper route which ultimately grew to extend from Boise to Middleton. To help with his route, he had a motorcycle and a Model A Ford named “Old Henry.”  He talked about how cold it was during the winter months as the car was open, for the most part, to the elements, however that didn’t stop him.

He had chores at home, and milking the cow was one of them. He tried to get his younger brother, Lyle, to help him. After being frustrated by Lyle’s inability to learn, Dean took back the chore and continued to milk the cow. Later he found out Lyle did that to get out of milking.

Another chore he had was pulling nails out of boards and straightening them to be used again by his father for building. Dean learned the art of carpentry from his father and mastered it. He was a master carpenter. You could see his passion for the trade from the skill and perfection he had with every project with which he was involved. His father commented many times, “once that kid got something in his head to do, he found a way to accomplish it.”

Dean received a draft notice from Uncle Sam in 1950. While on his way to the draft office, he realized he didn’t want to be drafted into the Army, so he enlisted in the Navy.  He served his country in the Navy from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War and was assigned to the USS Ashtabula, one of the most decorated oil tankers in Navy history.

Dean loved the outdoors. Not only did he hunt, fish, and ski, but he also worked for a time as a logger cutting down trees.

Dean managed operations at Bogus Basin ski resort for many years. His curiosity and drive to make things work better lead to many inventions, one being a snow grooming machine for Bogus Basin. It was while he was working there that Dean met the love of his life. Judy Adams and a friend were spending the day skiing at Bogus. Dean saw smoke coming from a stairwell at the lodge. When he went to see what was going on, he found Judy and her friend grilling steaks on a hibachi. The rest is history. Dean and Judy were married on October 7, 1967, in Sun Valley, Idaho area.

Dean and Judy lived in a cabin that Dean and his father built above the lodge at Bogus Basin and enjoyed many years together on the mountain. Following their time at Bogus they purchased a home in the valley. Dean went into business with his brother-in-law, John Adams, doing finish work and other types of carpentry.

Dean and Judy enjoyed many great years together going on adventures, traveling the world, and providing service and comfort to many. In 1987, Judy’s work took them to Barrow, Alaska, where Judy worked for the Indian health service hospital and Dean worked for the school district. When they retired, they relocated to Kenai, Alaska, built a home, and lived there for several years. Following their grand Alaskan adventures, they returned to Idaho in 2003 to be close to family.

Dean’s love for Judy was unconditional and never-ending. After her passing in 2021, that love became even more apparent. He longed for the time when he could be reunited with Judy.

Dean’s passing just a day prior to Valentine’s was a great reunion! We are sure this was the most memorable Valentine’s Day they ever had!

Dean is survived by his brother, Howard (Lois) Coltrin; his sisters: Ann Jean Scholer and Doreen (David) Nelson; brother-in-law, John (Linda) Adams, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for everyone who provided Dean with meals, visits, love, and support over the past 15 months, particularly the caring team at Aspen Home Care and Hospice.