Donald “Duck” Dean, 66, of Missouri City, Texas, and a native of Jena, transitioned from this life on Thursday, April 10, 2020, at Houston Methodist Hospital Medical Center. He had been on dialysis for a number of years.
Born October 8, 1953, Donald was the sixth child born to Wiley and Ruthie Johnson Dean. He accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized by the late Rev. Dave Woods, and was a member of New Evergreen Baptist Church of Jena.
Donald began his education at Good Pine High School and graduated from Jena High School in 1971, and furthered his education by attending and graduating from Grambling College in 1976. On his high school basketball team, Donald was named “Most Dependable”. He was that throughout his earthly journey. He was a flag carrier in Grambling’s marching band which performed at Super Bowl IX in New Orleans in 1975.
After graduating, he moved to Houston, Texas and was employed at a couple of jobs before being hired by the U.S. Postal Service and served as a mail carrier and later, a clerk.
He married Katherine “Kat” on November 27, 1981 and to this union was born three children, Trumaine, Trey and Treasure. He was a member of New Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Andre J. Lewis, senior pastor.
He refereed and umpired for 38 years for the state of Texas. His favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys and LA Dodgers. He loved fishing, sports, going to the casino, and traveling with his family.
Services were held on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at New Evergreem Baptist Church of Jena, with Revs. Chauncey Hardy, Christopher Davison, and Stanley Mathis officiating. Deacon Ron G. Carr was the soloist.
Interment followed in the Webster Cemetery of Good Pine under direction of Gayden Funeral Home of Jena.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Johnny “Tip” Dean.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Katherine “Kat” Dean of Missouri City, TX; his children, Trumaine (Niki) of Richmond, TX, Trey of Houston, TX, and Treasure of Missouri City, TX; one granddaughter, Ava of Richmond, TX; one step grandson, Nikolas Gonzales; his sibilings, Robert (Bobbie Sue) Dean of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Susie Jones of Jena, Rubystine Lane of Destrehan, Shirley Bluford of Peoria, AZ, Wiley (Loretta) Dean of Jena, Oleva (Casey) Jones of Jena, Carolyn Dean of Aliso Vieso, CA, Gary (Sandra) Dean of Gulfport, MS, and Earl (Faye) Holmes of Villa Rica, GA; one adopted brother, Ben “Chuck” (Daisy) Reid of Jena; sisters-in-law, Billie Ann Dean of Jena and Debra Richardson of Humble, TX; brothers-in-law, Anthony (Della) Tapscott, and Michael Tapscott of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Active pallbearers were Donte Jenkins, Delvin Hatcher, DeWayne Howard, Roderick Turner, Pete Walker, and Ronnie McCree.
Honorary pallbearers were Wiley D. Jones, Gary W. Dean, Robert C. Dean, Willie Richardson, Casey D. Jones, Anthony Tapscott, Earl Holmes, Ben Reid, Michael Tapscott, and members of JHS Class of 1971.