An avid gardener, he enjoyed cooking and canning. He and his wife, Ruth, also enjoyed hunting unusual rocks for the rock garden and looking for Indian artifacts.
When Ruth broke her hip and was in the care of the Juniper Village Nursing Home for more than 3 years, he visited her every day, bringing her fresh flowers from the yard and tomatoes from the garden when in season.
His wife of 70 years, Ruth Getz Dean: all of his siblings, brothers,: Walter Dean, George Dean, Chester Dean, Oakey Dean, J. Richard Dean and sisters: Goldie Dean Smith, Myrtle Dean Rowe, Edith Dean(infant); three grandchildren, Dora Lee Morgan, Wayne Allen Morgan and Debbie Michelle Morgan; and one great-great grandchild, Stuart Morgan, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his daughter, Doris (Kenneth) Morgan of Farmington, N.M. and son, David (Molly) Dean of Monte Vista; six grandchildren, Kathy Morgan Parkerson, Melody Morgan Lopez, Timothy Morgan, Terry Morgan, Melissa Lanese Morgan Russell and Jaleela Morgan; two step-granddaughters,Kerry Maki and Tracy Maki Frei; 11 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and Shorty requested that no services be arranged.
