Edwin N Dean

Edwin “Eddie” Napolean Dean was born August 10, 1929, in Huttonsville, Oklahoma to the late Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Lula Dean. Thirteen of his siblings preceded him in death. Eddie lived 93 amazing years.

Eddie was educated in the Rentiesville, Oklahoma school system. As a young man, he had his first and only daughter, Edwina. November of 1951, he was drafted to the United States Army. After his honorable discharge from military service, he served in the Army Reserve until 1959. Eddie moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1949. He was a member of Graystone Heights Baptist Church where he confessed his hope in Christ and served as a leader of the young adult choir and sang with the Veterans Glee Club. He later joined Point of Faith Ministries in Lee Summit, Missouri.

While serving in the Reserve, he met the love of his life, Ms. Hazel Barnett. June 1, 1958, Eddie and Hazel were married. Their bond was strong, their commitment extended beyond simply having fun together, their commitment endured the test of time and proved to be rock solid. To this union, two sons were born, Bruce Edward and Dereck Lamar Dean.

Eddie was a hard-working family man. He ensured his family had what was needed to survive, be respectful, and thrive. He was employed with Rock Island Railroad until it went out of business. Later he worked at Archer Daniel Midland where he retired in 1997. Retirement was something he enjoyed but did not prefer, and so he returned to work. He worked full-time at Standard Parking until 2020. He enjoyed his hobby as a TV repairman. He could fix any TV, if he could not fix it, it was not broken.

Eddie loved his family and absolutely adored his wife, Mother Hazel Dean. He greeted her with big smiles and always shared a compliment that brought a smile in return. “Dean Tabernacle” as his home was fondly called was a place of love, provision, stability and order. He was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals. He enjoyed watching the games at home or at the stadium.

Eddie was a measured man; even in tough situations he always held his composure. He had a natural talent for using words in quick, witty and amusing ways. He could make you laugh without effort and no matter what was said, he had a ready word filled with humor. Laughter was medicine in his home.

He enjoyed life, he loved his family. While attending a Sunday morning service with his son Bruce, he made that walk down the aisle to recommit his life to Christ. Along with his son Dereck, he was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church, where Mr. Gregory Stevens is Pastor. Surrounded by his family September 10, 2022, at St. Joseph Hospital, he took his last breath. Words cannot describe how immensely he will be missed.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife of 64 years Hazel Dean; two sons, Bruce (Joanne) of Raymore Missouri, and Dereck Dean of Kansas City Missouri; one daughter, Edwina Moten of Kansas City, Missouri; one sister, Emma Nelson of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren, LaJuan, Jarad, Xavier, Ashton and Jaden Dean; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.