M. Wayne Dean

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of M. Wayne Dean (we could tell you what the M stood for, but then we would have to kill you) at 1656 on 23 Jan 2012. Wayne was born on 23 Jul 1940 and went on to lead a life worthy of a book.

Wayne was a Mason, a Mensa member and graduated from the University of Houston with a BS in Mathematics.

His career began in the US Marine Corps and was followed by a lifetime of protecting people. By the age of 30 he was a lieutenant with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and although his career was progressing rapidly, he sought new challenges by joining the US Secret Service. He was stationed in the Houston area for a number of years before his promotion to headquarters, in Washington DC. There he took charge of the Data Systems Division (rumor has it because he could spell computer), was a part of the Director’s Research and Development staff and finally went on to serve as the Secret Service liaison to the US Congress & Senate. After seven years at headquarters, he returned to Texas and served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Austin office until his retirement in 1988.

Following retirement, Wayne worked with the Central Intelligence Agency in the Counter Terrorism Center where he trained groups across the globe in counter terrorism and presidential security tactics.

Simultaneously, Wayne founded his own company, Facilitators International, which allowed him to provide security and security training services. As a result of his extensive security background with multiple Federal Agencies, not only were his services welcomed, but he was sought out to advise and assist with security training and security operations throughout the world. His client list included the Rockefeller family, a number of US and Foreign dignitaries, Ford Motor Company, Cemex, Daimler and many others. Never one to slow down, he was teaching the finer art of combat driving, advanced firearms, personal self-defense, protective operations and kidnapping avoidance and recovery until illness sidelined him 18 months ago.

As one of his Secret Service colleagues said, “If you were a bad guy, you did not want Wayne Dean creeping on you, as we say in the business. And if you were his colleague, he could screw with you like nobody else.”

Wayne’s personal passions and achievements paralleled his professional career. He enjoyed flying his airplanes, traveling the globe, and negotiating anything and everything- especially if it allowed him to exercise his fluent use of Spanish, SCUBA diving (as a PADI Instructor), spending time at his ranch in San Saba and shooting his guns.

Left to continue his stories are his wife and partner of 21 years, Martha, daughter and son in law Deanna and Steve Looney, son and daughter in law Brannon and Farren Smith, daughter Courtney Swenson; grandchildren Steven, Mathew, Kaylee, Riley, Jillian and Zade. The friends, fans and students are too many to count. And enemies? We doubt any of them survived this long. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Delbert & Willie and his sister Darlene.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 1800 until 2000, on Thursday, 26 Jan 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1000 on Friday, 27 Jan 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow at 1530 in Forest Park Lawndale, Houston, TX. Pallbearers serving are: Bill Bastow, Steve Beauchamp, Robert Blossman, Don Langehennig, Harold Piatt, Mark Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Herman Mueschke, Mr. Ken Wiesman and McBrides Gun Shop

Wayne was an extremely honorable man, loyal friend and genuinely good person. His lasting impression on the thousands of people who were fortunate enough to meet him is best shown in the number of tough grown men that have been brought to (manly) tears by his passing. He will be sorely missed, but we were fortunate to have had him in our lives and are better for that. He most surely was the most interesting man in the world

In lieu of flowers (Wayne would tell you they would be no fun to shoot), please consider a donation to Hospice Austin or the Wounded Warrior Project in Wayne’s honor. Semper Fi and God Speed.