Hershel “Leo” Dean, Jr., 68, of Beaumont passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas. He was born in Beaumont on January 7, 1943, to Hershel and Willie Mae (Huckabee) Dean. He attended Pennsylvania Elementary, Crocket Junior High School, Beaumont High School, and Lamar University. He retired as a supervisor from Mobil Oil in 1995 following twenty-seven years of service.
During high school, he met the love of his life. Married in 1963, Leo and Ann’s love lasted fifty years. His daughter Patti and granddaughter Annette were his pride and joy! “PaPaw” enjoyed family, friends, traveling in his R.V., camping at Dam B, and his beloved puppies. After giving his life to Christ, Leo spent his time making sure others knew Christ as their personal Savior also. “Pops” touched many lives. Although he only had one child, he claimed many as his own. As we look back on his life, he would tell us; “Don’t cry for me because I am where I want to be.”
Survivors include his wife, Ann Dean of Beaumont; daughter, Patti Merrill of Beaumont; granddaughter, Elizabeth Annette Merrill of Beaumont; sisters, Lynda Dawson and her husband Dan of Hill Top Lake and Patricia Adams and her husband Wayne of Friendswood; and aunts, Edith Lee of Beaumont and Mary Studdert of Beaumont.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 21, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of his family and friends will be Sunday, February 20, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A.S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 96929, Washington, D.C. 20090-6929 or Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
