Jack Ray Dean

Jack Ray Dean, 59 was born April 4, 1954 in Hanford, California to Jim & Annbelle Peden. He was the third and final child the couple produced, following his older brother Mark, and his oldest sister Cathy. The pair separated shortly after Jack's birth, and Annbelle later wed Edward "Earl" Dean. Earl legally adopted the baby boy, and was known as Dad from that day forward. The happy couple gave Jack two younger sisters, Debbie & Lori.

Through Earl, the children learned the value of hard work. In particular, the two boys learned Earl's trade: Drywall. Jack worked as a Drywaller from the age of 14, and by his senior year in 1972, half of his classes were work experience so he could put in full time hours while completing his final high school year.

Not long after graduating Hanford High, he met the love of his life, Linda Woesner. The two were married in 1974, when Linda was a senior at Hanford High. 1976 was a banner year for Jack in which Linda birthed their first son, Justin, and his Business, Jack Dean Drywall, was born as well. The business grew fast, and in 1978 the couple took their second boy, Bryan, from the hospital to their first home on Cameron Street in Hanford. Jack, along with a little help from his friends, turned the modest cottage into a much more alluring property, while doubling its size to accommodate his growing family through extensive remodeling.

In 1986 Jack & Linda designed their dream home, and once again with the help of friends and family, built their beautiful new home in the record time of three months. A few years later, like clockwork, there was major remodeling done on this home as well. It was almost as if they knew that in 1990 Linda would give birth to their final child, and only daughter, Jennifer.

Eldest son, Justin, accompanied Jack to work in places such as Greenfield and Avenal during his summer breaks as a child, and eventually picked up the trade. Like Jack, he started doing drywall in his teens, and worked alongside his father throughout his life. Jack felt strongly about the importance of a job well done, and took much pride in his abilities to produce quality work. Jack taught many in the area, some of which are still involved in the trade today, including his brother-in-law, Robert Woesner.

For fun, the family enjoyed trips to the coast and camping when the boys were younger. Once they got a little older, Jack discovered the joys of Las Vegas, and the Deans spent many a vacation there as well. He also loved to fish, and host Football parties with friends and family.

Tragically, in 2007 the family lost Linda to a heart condition that left Jack's heartbroken as well. In 2010 he sold their dream home, and moved back to where it all started: The Cameron House. He spent his last few years in semiretirement, working on projects around the place, remodeling it once again, and getting reacquainted with the neighborhood. He enjoyed backyard barbeques consisting of music, cold beer, friends, and family.

In the summer of 2013, his daughter Jennifer and her husband (Jack's coconspirator) Richie Puga gave him his first and only grandchild, Mia Ann Puga. Jack waited a long time to become a grandfather, and couldn't have been more overjoyed!

Despite the family's overwhelming joy over Mia's arrival, this same summer saw the start of some health issues for Jack in the form of severe back pains. These pains eventually sent him to the emergency room, where it was discovered he was suffering from stage four cancer. After spending a month in the hospital surrounded by loved ones twenty four hours a day, he finally went home on November 21st.

Jack passed away one week later, on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th at his home with his three children, their spouses, his granddaughter, and youngest sister, Lori Dean Cooper at his side. He was at peace and surrounded by loved ones when he left us.

Jack is survived by his loving children; Justin & Arianne Dean, Bryan & Sandra Dean and Jennifer & Richie Puga and his precious granddaughter; Mia Ann Puga all of Hanford, California.

A Celebration of Jack's Life will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 12Noon at Jack's Home; 412 W. Cameron, Hanford, CA 93230.

"Success lies not in doing what others consider to be great, but what you consider to be right." John Gray