Dennis "Denny" Ray Adams, 73, of Conde, SD, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2019, at his residence.  His wishes were to be cremated with no services.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)
Denny was born May 29, 1946, in Littlefork, MN and was raised in the area, graduating from Littlefork-Big Falls High School in 1965. He proudly served 20 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1985.  The Air Force took him to Spain and Japan, but the majority of his time was spent stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT, where he loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
After retirement from the Air Force, Denny settled in Raynesford, MT and ran the Kibby Korner Truckstop for several years. During this time, Denny embarked on his true passion in life, bloodhound search dogs. He became a nationally certified bloodhound handler and trainer.  He traveled the country and even to Kenya, Africa to provide expert training to law enforcement and others on the use of bloodhounds.  He provided bloodhound trailing services to state and federal law enforcement agencies with high profile cases including the search for Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph.
Denny relocated to Conde, SD where he married Kathleen Toy in 2002.  Together they owned and operated Dakota Territory Search Dogs.  While he trained many bloodhounds over the years, the most well-known was his beloved Calamity Jane.  Writer Johathan Eig’s article about Calamity Jane and Denny, appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in June 2004.  Crime writer Ann Rule mentioned Denny and Calamity Jane in her book ‘Kiss Me, Kill Me’ after he assisted in the high-profile searches for two missing persons in Minnesota.
Denny always provided his search efforts to families free of charge – out of a sense of duty and drive.  Denny was very driven and often a hard man to have a relationship with. He would speak his mind often without regard to how his words would be received, but he also had a very soft heart for helping people in need and letting those close to him know that he loved them.
Denny is survived by his wife of 17 years, Kathleen (Toy) Adams of Conde, SD; son Jeffrey Adams of Portland, OR; daughters: Denise, Blossem, and Lana; stepchildren Lori, Brandy, Seth and Dustin; four siblings; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; including granddaughter Tomlyn Toy with whom he had a close relationship until the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenny and sister Carol.
Denny’s final resting place will be at Willamette National Cemetery near his son Jeff’s home in Portland, Oregon.