Dean and his family moved to Portland in October 1939. They lived in a couple of different locations until his family finally settled on Smith Street in North Portland. He attended George School and Roosevelt High School. He shared lots of his memories of running track and being on a pistol team while in high school.
After high school he worked a short time on a green chain at a lumber mill (that was hard work!) and then went to work at Rose City Plating. He went into law enforcement at the urging of his brother, and became a police officer. He rode 3-wheelers, then advanced to detective and became a polygraph examiner for the Portland Police Department. He had quite a few stories to tell relating to this line of work. He retired in 1986 after 27 years with the Department.
Dean also loved salmon and steelhead fishing. He cherished the time spent deer hunting in Eastern Oregon with his dad and then his sons and grandsons.
During high school, he met Verna Wilson. They were married on March 24, 1951, and had three sons, Richard (Dick), Darryl, and Leonard. He was a great father, showing much patience and love. He is survived by his son, Dick; sister, Sharon Fenton of Seattle; nine grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
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