Deborah (Butler) Adams

Deborah Ann (Butler) Adams passed away May 13, 2020, with her husband at her side in their Yelm, Washington, home. Deb was born September 21, 1954, in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada, to Wayne and Shirley Butler. As an Air Force brat, she also lived in Michigan, France (1-5 years old), Germany (K-1st), Washington (2nd-4th grade), North Carolina (5th-6th), Arizona (6th), and finally back to Washington State (7th-12th). She graduated in 1972 from Bethel High School in Spanaway, and attended Clover Park Technical College, where she met Craig in a broadcast TV production course, graduating in 1976. Deb and Craig were married in Enumclaw, Washington, at Little Lake Ranch on September 10, 1977. Their daughter Cortney was born in 1980, followed by Joshua in 1982 and Christopher in 1985. Deb was a trailblazer and pioneer in the male-dominated field of broadcast TV and corporate video production. She worked at KPTC TV (Channel 13)/PBS, Tacoma Art Museum, KING TV (Channel 5), and Boeing Co. Motion Picture Unit. She was also the co-entrepreneur in a home-based video production business, AMPro-Adams Media Production, and created church ministry videos. Deb also home schooled their three children. Deb enjoyed camping, gardening, cooking, baking, scrapbooking, and studying the Bible. She was a Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader, woman’s Bible Study leader, and was a mentor mom in MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) with her daughters-in-law. Deb’s love for her Savior was evident in her everyday life. Her life reflected the words of Proverbs 31:25 - “She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.” Like McGyver, with a little duct tape, rubber bands and WD40, she could work wonders! She could also take three leftover meals and, with a few ingredients from the pantry, transform them into a meal that would earn Martha Stewart’s stamp of approval. She was known for her compassion and empathy for others. When editing heritage videos, her family would often see her tearfully putting her Hallmark-like touches on them. It was also common to find her tearing up over heartwarming commercials on TV. Deb and Craig attended Bethel Christian Assembly (1981-84) in Tacoma, Arlington 1st Baptist Church (1984-93), Smokey Point Community Church-CMA (1993-2004), Lighthouse Christian Center-CMA (2004-2016). Deb is survived by her husband, Craig; daughter, Cortney Nickel (Mark), and their children, Charlotte (4), Bennett(1); son, Joshua Adams (Eryn), and their children, Clara (13), Gabe (10), Emmett (5), Heide (3); son, Chris Adams (Andrea), and their children, Aidan (9), Cora (5); her sister, Judy Steffey (LaDell); brother, Shawn Butler (Lise); brother-in-law, Gary Adams; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, Wayne and Shirley Butler; grandparents, Foster and Mildred Butler, Mike and Margert Duffy, and Lawrence Barry; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Adams. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or Assured Hospice, 2102 Carriage Dr. SW, Unit D, Olympia, WA 98502. A Celebration of Life will be held after the current regulations on gathering of groups are lifted. The family requests that, if interested in attending, please send your contact info to the family at [email protected] or add it the Tribute Wall to the left. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left. NO FLOWERS, PLEASE.