Bobby Dean

RICHLAND HILLS -- Bobby E. Dean, 81, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Monday, September 10th at the Heritage Church of Christ. A family graveside service was held at an earlier date.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, should you wish to remember Bob, please make donations to the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County or to the building fund of Heritage Church of Christ in Keller.

Bob was born in Fort Worth on September 28, 1930 to S.J. and Pearl Dean. He was raised in Riverside and graduated from Amon Carter Riverside High School. While in high school, Bob was a member of the ROTC. After graduation, he went on to serve in the Texas National Guard as a First Sergeant.

In 1946, a young girl, Betty Burlison, and her family moved next door to the Deans. When Betty turned 16, Bob asked her out on a date, and it was love. Bob and Betty were engaged during her senior year in high school. Betty decided to attend college and the engagement was called off. Life took Bob and Betty on different paths for the next decade. Eventually, they found their way back to each other and joined their families in marriage on February 14, 1969. Bob and Betty proceeded to build a life together, which included three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

For more than 50 years, Bob worked in the trucking industry for White Trucks, Fort Worth Truck Center, Fort Worth Freight-liner, and Volvo/RDO of Fort Worth, and approximately 45 of those years were as a parts manager. Throughout his career, Bob received numerous sales and service awards, which gave Betty and him the opportunity to travel to Germany, England, Puerto Rico, Canada and embark on an Alaskan cruise.

Bob was a former member of the National Hot Rod Association and Model A Club. In his younger years, he and his buddies built and raced dragsters and race cars. One lap behind the wheel and Bob quickly decided he was better suited for building rather than driving. He spent many Sunday afternoons watching car and truck racing.

Bob was a faithful Christian and a longtime member of Midtown/Heritage Church of Christ. He loved his family and friends more than anything in this world and was always willing to help others in any way possible. Bob enjoyed nothing more than spending time and sharing a meal with his family and friends. In addition, he loved to take family vacations all across the country but some of his favorite were spent in the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Bob always had a smile for everyone even when dementia took hold of his life and strokes hindered his ability to communicate. The family would like to thank the staff of Emerald Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare center for the love and care they provided for the past few years and the staff of Seasons Hospice for their guidance and care in Bob's final months.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, S.J. and Pearl Dean; brothers, Clarence Dean, Jay Dean and Bill "Goatie" Dean; sisters, Mildred Roberts, Neva Green, Cheryl Conrad, Mary Dean, Shirley Dean and Frances Dean.

In true Bob Dean fashion, he requested that no suits or ties be present at his Memorial.

Survivors: Wife of 43 years and his one true love, Betty Dean of Richland Hills; son, Sam Dean of Fort Worth; daughter, Annette Barrington of Richland Hills; daughter, Amy Cass and husband, Chris Cass of Fort Worth; granddaughter, Christina Aydt of Dallas; granddaughter Emily Borchardt and husband, Anthony Borchardt of Alvarado; grandson, Brad Lindeman of Mesquite; granddaughter, Abigail Cass of Fort Worth; grandson, Aaron Cass of Fort Worth; two great-grandchildren; brother, Jack Dean and wife Diane Dean of Tennessee; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.