Danny Ray Dean
Nov. 3, 1954 Aug. 15, 2017 Danny Ray Dean, 62, of Gravette, Ark., departed this life on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at his home after an illness. He was born on Nov. 3, 1954, in Denver, Colo., the son of Billy Gene and Betty Dean.
At the age of 13 he and his family moved to the Northwest Arkansas area. He honorably served his country in the United States Air Force as a Jet Mechanic. After the war he worked as a truck driver, farmer and handyman. He enjoyed sightseeing, camping, gospel music, church and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Vicky Bloom and Roberta Dean.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Edith Dean of the home; six daughters, Amanda Long and husband Jonathan of Earlsboro, Okla., Tina Kang and husband D.K. of Gravette, Ark., Jennifer Cummings and husband Jerrid of Jay, Okla., Kimberly Taff and husband Wade of Jay, Malinda Dean of Johnson, Kan., and Marsha Dean of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four sons, Jason Arnold and wife Dee of Missouri, Kevin Black and wife Heather of Anderson, Mo., Walter Black and wife Jennifer, and Billy Black all of Jay; 10 brothers, Kiale Dean and wife Ellen of Neosho, Mo., Terry Dean and wife Dolores of Georgia, Larry Dean and wife Moe of California, Gerald Dean and wife Helen of Oregon, Billy Dean of Colorado, Ralph Shorter and wife Sally of Gravette, Harry Shorter Jr. and wife Tina of Oklahoma, Randal Shorter of South Carolina, Harold Shorter and wife Vicki of Jay, and Michael Dean and wife Tracy of Neosho; four sisters, Vivian Haynes of Wynonna, Mo., Christie Davis of Minnesota, Tina Riley and husband Trent of Noel, Mo., Kimberly Reese and husband Harold of Neosho, and Lisa McMurry and husband Brad of Neosho; 39 grandchildren; 19½ great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services with full military honors were held Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Maysville Missionary Baptist Church in Maysville, Ark., with Pastor John Meredith officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers were Jason Arnold, Kevin Black, Walter Black, Billy Black, Wade Taff Jr. and Jonathan Taff. Honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Long, D.K. Kang, Austin Taff, Ronnie Black, Michael Dean, Kiale Dean and Harold Shorter.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. ozarkfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson.