Cover photo for Jerry Dean's Obituary
Jerry Dean Profile Photo
1947 Jerry 2017

Jerry Dean

April 25, 1947 — January 8, 2017

Gerald (Jerry) Dean was born April 25, 1947 in Denver, Colorado. You never wanted to call him Gerald…..Always Jerry! A Colorado native, he lived in Denver as a young child. His family bought a home at 76th and Simms in rural Arvada where they raised chickens and horses. As a young boy, he knew the freedom that rural life offered him. For instance, instead of riding a bicycle, he rode his horse everywhere he wanted to go. He attended Fremont Elementary school, Drake Junior High School and Arvada West High School. When he came home from school, he had chickens and horses to feed. He told of being given the task of having to kill chickens for dinner! Their property was covered with fruit trees, berry bushes, and wild asparagus. The property was adjacent to a creek where they played and would water their horses. He was familiar with delivering calves and colts. During his teenage years he lived in the bunk house that was next to the main house. His Dad taught him how to fix things, especially how to work on cars. He learned a good work ethic. Jerry's Dad, Mom and uncles all raced cars at Lakeside and Englewood Speedway. At that time, Jerry raced at the speedway, too. Racing was definitely in his blood. His family also owned a Livery Stables in Black Hawk. At one point in his life his family moved to Nevada where his Dad worked at a car dealership. Convenient for Jerry, then a teenager, to purchase his first car. In Nevada, he was involved in a terrible car accident in the Nevada desert where his car flipped off the road and landed on top of him severely injuring him……several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a concussion as well as other injuries. God protected Jerry…..the car landed on sand so he was able to dig himself out from under the car and walk for help. Someone answered the door and Jerry was unconscious for several days until he was able to recover from his injuries. The family returned to Arvada when Jerry was a junior in High School. Jerry loved cars and spent many hours working on his car. Tasks included replacing transmissions. He owned a 53 Chevy….competition orange! Later he bought a black 57 Chevy that he drove until he went into the service. In 1965 he met Marilyn. Jerry and Marilyn were high school sweethearts. They attended the Senior Prom together and enjoyed lots of good times in the 57 Chevy. They both sang in the Arvada West High School Choir. Jerry worked pumping gas at the local gas station. They dated throughout high school and graduation until Jerry anticipated being drafted into the service. He signed up to serve his country in the Navy. Before leaving for the Navy, he asked Marilyn to marry him and she said, ""Yes!"" Marilyn attended college in Greeley and later worked in Denver while he served in Vietnam for 4 years. In May 1968, still in the Navy, he came home on a one month leave. Marilyn didn't even know he was coming home. They decided to be married while he was home. A beautiful wedding was planned in 2 weeks at Calvary Temple in Denver with family and friends attending. Jerry and Marilyn spent a few weeks together in Long Beach, California before he got orders to report to his ship leaving for Vietnam again. God kept him safe for those 4 years…..most being served in Vietnam. He was the postman on the ship which had its advantages and disadvantages. All the other sailors wanted to keep him in good favor. His job included trips to the front lines to deliver mail. He told a story of one day when the frontline men had to hit the ground due to an attack. He landed on something he thought to be a log until it moved under him, when he looked down it was a huge snake. He had to continue to lay still until it actually slivered out from under him. He was scared of snakes for the rest of his life. God saved his life that day, too. Jerry accepted the Lord as his Savior while in the Navy. Jerry and Marilyn lived a short six months together in Martinez, California where they attended a Southern Baptist church and he was baptized there in California. In 1970, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and came home. They bought a home on Chase St. in Edgewater, Colorado. In January 1971, Bart Wayne Dean was born. Chad Michael Dean was born November 7, 1973 and Stacie Ann Dean was born November 17, 1974. What a blessing…..a family. In 1974 when Stacie was 6 months old, they moved to Littleton, Colorado where they made their new home. In 1980, Marilyn and Jerry purchased land in Jefferson, Colorado on Michigan Hill. In 1981 with his inheritance, they built a cabin on the land, a second home……one of the kindest things they would ever do for their family. All the Deans had enjoyed the best of times fishing, riding motorcycles, four wheeling and loving the fun and peace that the mountains have to give with Jerry. A true blessing. This was and continued to be Jerry's favorite place on earth. Many wonderful friendships were formed on Michigan Hill down through the years. Some of the best friends anyone could ever have asked for to live and play in the mountains. Jerry and Marilyn took many trips…..Jerry loved to drive. They purchased a motorhome and fifth wheels for travel and visited all of the states with the exception of Oklahoma. Never made it to Oklahoma. So many good memories. Jerry loved traveling and taking cruises with his family and friends. What a bunch of fun! Jerry worked and retired as a bus driver from Jefferson County Schools. His routes included all ages of children, special needs children and adults. He worked for Safeway and Camping World for several years after retiring. For around 12 years he worked with Marilyn in her family home child care….Kids Korner. He did all the cooking of snacks and lunches. The children called him ""Papa"" as did his grandchildren. The child care children considered him like a grandpa. He always loved the babies and spent many hours loving and caring for the children. Jerry actively participated in all of the activities, projects and conferences for Jefferson County Child Care Association. He was loved by many child care providers. Jerry and Marilyn's oldest son Bart married Sandy, their middle child Chad married Tara, and their youngest child Stacie married Adam. Lots of good memories of beautiful weddings and fun celebrations of new lives being created. Jerry and Marilyn have nine grandchildren, Brianna 23, Taylor 21, Tristen 18, Jessy 18, Corey 16, Addison 14, Sheridyn 12, Kennedy 9, and Presley 7. Grandchildren are the best……richly blessings. There are many stories remembered and told about the good times they all had with their papa. Some specific times they could think of was really what their grandpa would say to each of them. They never really were sure if he actually knew their names because for instance, as the girls would walk in during family gatherings he would say, ""What's up good lookin's"" and they would smile. For the boys, they were always called ""boso"" because of how ornery they all were. For the family, Jerry was a very verbal person espcially in places that were quiet. Jerry was known to always take his grandchildren, especially the boys, to the movies when new action movies would come out. One time they went to go see Transformers and Bumblebee, the 67 Chevrolet Camero-ss came onto the screen, and with the theater completely quiet, Jerry yells, ""That's Dynamite"". Dynamite was his go to word for anything he found thrilling or exciting. Finally, one of the last things Jerry would always say to his grandchildren was bologny, because everything that came out of their mouths to their grandpa was ridiculous. With all of these things, they will always remember his big heart and love for them. His family is the ones to put a smile on his face anytime they were all together. These are the memories they will always have of their grandpa and cherish. The youngest of the grandchildren had a few words they wanted to share about how special their Papa was: ""One of my favorite memories is when we went to the zoo and saw the Lego animals with Mema and Papa. Why this is my favorite memory is we had a great time and got to spend time with Papa. No matter what he always told us that he loved us and no matter what he was always going to be there. I love you Papa"" – Love Sheridyn ""My memory that I will never forget is when Papa would poke my nose and kiss my forehead. Papa will also tell me that if I ate my vegetables my hair will curl and I will grow big and strong. I wish I had a chance to see him one more time and tell him I love him. I will never forget that moment. I will still love him to the moon and back. I love you Papa."" Love Kennedy ""Papa I love you so much. He was a great papa. When I was a little girl I went to Mema's school I would tell people that Mema was my teacher and Papa was my lunch boy. He did all the cooking. I loved going to school there."" Love Presley. Jerry and Marilyn attended Foothills Bible church. When they were at their mountain home they attended Grace Church of South Park in Jefferson, Colorado. All the Deans are Colorado natives!! Jerry was diagnosed in March 2016 with Pancreatic Cancer. He fought a good fight….always wanting to live…...Always patient and always brave. He was 69 years old when he passed on January 8, 2017. Loved by many for his straightforward, loving, good humor and honest personality. The Deans numbered 17. One fantastic man has gone to be with Jesus. Jerry is joyful, safe…. and most importantly free of pain. We will all be together again someday A Memorial Service will take place Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 10:00am, Foothills Bible Church, 6100 S Devinney Way, Littleton, CO 80127. Interment will take place Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 2:00pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area 'A', 3698 S Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80236. Please share your condolences with the family in the guestbook below.
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