Thomas Sawyers Dean Jr.

Thomas Sawyer Dean, Jr. passed away Wednesday, June 12th in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was born December 29, 1919 in Pleasanton, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army as a Fire Control repairman during World War II. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&I University in 1948. He retired from Corpus Christi Army Depot as an Engineer in 1974.

After retirement Tom spent every day in his workshop. He had a passion for airplane modeling. He blue printed and built all of his airplanes from scratch. He won many competitions locally and internationally. He also has an airplane at a model airplane museum in New Hampshire.

Tom loved to play the guitar and played many years in the South Texas Opry.

He was a loved and respected, gentle, kind person with a quick wit and great sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sawyer Dean, Sr. and Carrie Sasser Dean; sister Dorothy Fikar, and daughter, Claudia Beth Meek.

He is survived by his wife Betty Lois Dean of Corpus Christi; daughters, Linda Bray and Alice Tumlinson, son, Roy Bray and brother, William Sasser Dean Sr. (Beth); three nephews, one niece, 9 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013 at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens