Roger E Dean

Roger Dean was born in Fort Worth on October 05, 1936, and was the eldest of four children. He grew up attending West Berry church of Christ, and went to Paschal High School. After high school, Roger went to Abilene Christian College, where true to his nature, he was involved in many activities, and was even a cheerleader his senior year. Having made many lasting friendships there, he graduated ACC in 1960.

After Abilene Christian, Roger was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for two years. Stationed in Germany as the base photographer, Roger made several lifelong friends with the locals, traveled across Europe, and visited ACC friends doing mission work in Austria. These experiences fed his passion for missions, travel, and photography.

Upon returning to civilian life in Texas, Roger taught 6th grade for four years at Ridglea West Elementary school, in Fort Worth, TX, earned a Masters degree in educational administration, and certification to be an elementary principal. He also spent three years preaching on weekends at a small church of Christ in Tioga, Texas. Ultimately, though, he would choose a career marketing chemical, industrial, and microbial cleaners.

While teaching at Ridglea West, Roger went back to West Berry church of Christ one Sunday evening, where he met the love of his life, Camille Kemplin. They were married August 19, 1966. For a period of time, Roger was also the West Berry church’s Junior High Youth Minister, and this helped stoke his fire for introducing people to Jesus.

Later, Roger and Camille moved to east Fort Worth, where they worshiped at Meadowbrook church of Christ, worked there with high school and college young people, and made friends with other Young Marrieds. While there, Roger and Camille were blessed with the adoption of their baby son David, and later, their beautiful baby daughter, Robin, who became the delightful focus of their lives.

Roger loved travel, especially family vacations. One of his favorites was taking his family to visit the von Heimburg family in Germany, where Tom von Heimburg was working. They all traveled across Europe in the vons’ station wagon, giving Roger the opportunity to revisit places and friends remembered from his time in the army. In later life, blessed with grandchildren Miller Vititow, Liam Dean, and Adrienne Burgess, Roger loved spending time with them. Pawpaw, Miller and Liam loved Mammy’s pancakes on Sunday mornings and trips to Chisholm park. Miller and Mammy and Pawpaw enjoyed great travels together; Liam amazed them with his bright wit and intelligence; and Adrienne dazzled with her grace and beauty.

In the early 1970s, Roger and Camille purposely moved to what was then known as Richland Hills church of Christ, drawn by its forward looking outreach to the community and the world, and continued to work with high school and college youth. In 1979, Roger and his friend, Bob Mize, began an outreach focused class called Fort Worth Bible Class. Later, Roger would be joined in teaching by Lynn Waller and Kelly Felps. Roger helped teach this class for over 40 years. During this time, as a way of fostering fellowship and connections, Roger and Camille helped start Care Groups at Richland Hills.

In the early 1980s, Roger became a deacon at Richland Hills and later, from 1986 to 2010, spent twenty-four years serving as an elder. During those years, the church expanded, moving from Rufe Snow to Meadow Lakes Drive, and to his delight, Roger saw an even greater emphasis on community outreach and international missions. For him, one of the highlights of this time was getting to travel to Russia with the Let’s Start Talking program. Over the years it was Roger’s joy as teacher and church leader to be part of so many people’s lives.

Roger inherited his dad’s love of a good joke. He had a knack for making friends, and was always sensitive to the needs of others. He was a great encourager and listener! In words Roger wanted left behind, “He sought to encourage others, often, in their daily walk with the Lord, to be strong and radiant with the Spirit of Christ.” He often said, “There’s nothing like the family of God!”

Roger remained loyal to his Lord, family, and work. He was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and he would earnestly want you to know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. It is good to know he is now on his greatest adventure ever, the Journey he had prepared for his whole life, to rejoin cherished friends and to meet new ones.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Lucille Page Dean, and sister Linda Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Camille Dean, son David Dean, daughter Robin Dean; grandchildren Miller Vititow, Liam Dean, and Adrienne Burgess; brothers Norman Dean and wife Nan, Ken Dean and wife Ann; brother- and sister-in-law Steve and Sondra Kemplin; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial donations can be made to Menders for the Master at The Hills Church or to Let’s Start Talking. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Ambrosial Living and Magnolia Hospice for the skilled and gentle care they gave Roger in his last days.

A celebration of life for Roger will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 1:00 PM at The Hills - Church of Christ, 6300 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shannonrufesnow.com for the Dean family.