Dean was a man filled with kindness.  He had such a genteel manner about him, and I will always remember his twinkly and compassionate eyes.  He carried humor easily and gently, as well as a profoundly deep love for his family—his pride in his children was always with him.  I will remember him fondly all my life.  Sending love to Sue, Steve and Family, and Sherry and Family, all of whom I love.  Sending peace to you for this journey in remembering and celebrating your Dean. 

Sue, Steve, Sherry,  we are so sorry for your loss.  Dean was a great guy. Wonderful to work with (he took good care of the West High Band!) a blast to play trombone trios with, and fun to talk to about music or anything else. 
He will be missed.

When I think of Dean, I think immediately of his gentle and kind eyes.  He had a quiet way about him, but those eyes sparkled and humor was right at the surface, too.  He was a supportive and loving presence through my high school years, and I always enjoyed any time spent with him and his dear family.  Dean held such deep love and pride for his family; he brought it everywhere with him, and I know they felt it always.  What a gift.  He will be dearly missed and forever celebrated.  

We have known Dean, Sue, and their children  for so long that they are treasured friends.  We met at Christ Church many years ago.  Of course music was a common denominator.  Both of us and both of our children, Amy and John, sang under his direction in our church choir.  Steve sang in the men's chorus with Dean on almost every Mother's Day.  Amy and Linda even played trombone with Dean at one time or another,  I can't begin to count the number of times we played "500" at their home and they at ours.  With our children almost the same ages as Steve and Sherry, we met each other outside of Church at West High concerts and events.
There were so many qualities we admired in Dean.  His great knowledge of music (after his retirement as our director, I sat by him in the bass section of the choir and he never missed a note!), his quiet sense of humor, his devotion to duty, and his determination to be as close to perfect in every task as possible.  But perhaps his love stood out.  He loved his God, his family, his church, and of course his Hawkeyes.
The world and our lives are poorer without Dean.

Dean hired me supposedly part time to dispatch the school buses. I dont think I ever worked under 40 hours. He expressed confidence in me even though I had never done the work before. He was always fair and always exuded an air of confidence and peace. He knew how to direct his employees to use the best of their abilities. We were all a family at the school bus lot because of him. I met his lovely wife and children. He was so proud of them. Peace to his family knowing he is with Jesus now. God bless you all.

Heartfelt sympathies.  Mr Strom was a calm and strong director of the Emeralds Knights, and earned the respect of 128 kids from all walks of life.  I think of him and his smile with warmth and fondness.  God bless you, and thank you for sharing him with us in Cedar Rapids.

So very sorry to hear of your loss.  Thought about all of you through the years.  May God bless you and keep you now and always.

Sending sincere condolences from our family to yours.
Michael (Maria) Strom, Mark, Monica (Bob), Michelle (Patrick), and the grandchildren, Jordan Strom, Alena Strom and Karli Strom.

When I was working at Adam’s School in the late 80’s through much of the 90’s as a Crisis Interventionist for students with Behavior Disorders, Dean and Mary S. from transportation helped me almost more than anyone else in our district. Bussing our students often presented a challenge, I must have brainstormed 100 hours with them trying to figure out a different group of kids who should ride together, or what students should be drooped off first, or if a student should move to another bus, or to make sure that a specific student was with a particular bus driver who had developed a relationship with them. This may sound trivial, but I assure you that it helped put many of these students into a better frame of mind to start the day. Dean was absolutely wonderful to work with. Even when he was sick of hearing my voice he was always kind and patient. He was a perfect example of how a person should treat other people.

I just wanted to offer my condolences to the family of Dean Strom. I am a Citibus driver for the City of Davenport and several years ago Dean was my dispatcher and supervisor and I sure did like him a lot. He was a really a nice man and I sure enjoyed being associated with him. I am so sorry to learn about his sudden passing after being diagnosed with cancer. That is so sad. I was just thinking about Dean the other day. Im so sorry for your loss. He was a great guy to work with. Sincerely. Mark Anglund

What a great guy! I had so much fun  being in high school but being in the "adult" chancel choir. He always made me feel like I fit in. Also for the opportunity he and Sue gave me to baby sit Steve and Sherry. A couple of great kids. Thank you for everything and being a mentor to me.

Dean & I played Trombone together in the CASI and Big Top Circus Bands.   Dean could play, direct and write music really well.  He would whisper his thoughts and ideas to me during rehearsals.  I likened him to some of my music professors I admired while in school.  We also shared memories of our membership in the Kewanee Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.   Some unique memories we were both fortunate to experience.   My deepest sympathy to family and close friends.

We shared the bond of the brotherhood of trombonists. We used our knowledge, experience and fortitude to create musical sounds only a trombone can make. Dean was a fine musician and cherished friend.

Dean was an amazing person. He was easy to work with. I will greatly miss him. I would even call him a friend. God bless the family in this time of sorrow.

OBITUARY

John Dean Strom

2 December, 1938 – 26 December, 2020

Weerts Funeral Home

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