Karla Dean

1943 - 2011

Karla Lynette Gabik Dean of Melbourne, Florida passed away July 1, 2011 at the age of 67.

Heaven will be a bit more fun as Karla joins her father, Jack Kinney, who passed in World War II and her "true" father since age 2, Lt. Col. George Gabik.

Karla was born on December 12, 1943, in Santa Monica, California. As Air Force brats, Karla and her two brothers, Koral and Joel, lived with parents, George and Karolynne, in Japan for a year as well as several other U.S. cities. The family settled in Satellite Beach, Florida as George was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. Karla attended Cocoa High School where she met her first husband, John O. Dean, Jr. Together they had two loving children, Laura and Brad. As a young mother, Karla devoted herself to her family and friends.

Throughout her life, Karla had a true gift for all things artistic including landscaping, interior and floral design. Her many passions also included a love for nature and sailing.

While working in Human Resources for IBM in Houston TX, Karla married her second husband, Billy Selvidge, in 1987 and gained another loving daughter, Jan. In 1993, Karla and Bill retired to Melbourne to be closer to family.

She brought light, life, and a sense of humor into every situation and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Selvidge; her mother, Karolynne Gabik; her brother, Koral Gabik and his wife, Diane, and three nieces, Karie Crooker, and Kristina and Kourtney Gabik; her brother, Joel Gabik, and his wife, Cathy, and nephew, Joshua; first husband, John Dean and his wife and Karla's dear friend, Sybil; daughter, Laura Dean, and two grandsons, Jack and Dean Kirby; son, Brad Dean, and his wife, Anna, and two grandsons, Johnny and Jason; daughter, Jan Page and husband, Daryl, and two grandsons, Tyler and Connor Page; and Jack, the cat.

A private memorial celebration will be held on July 9, 2011.

If so moved, Karla's family would appreciate friends making memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.

You may sign Karla's guestbook www.beckmanwilliamson.com.