Don Richard Deane

In the early 1970s young people ensnared in the juvenile justice system – scared, mistrustful, sometimes hopeless who were assigned to Don Dean as a probation officer, for all of their troubles, must have been born under a lucky star. Where trust was sometimes scarce, they could trust Don. He never spared his time, his energy, his optimism and his imagination for the benefit of those in his care, pushing open the doors to a better future, no matter the hobbles of the past. Don never gave up on helping a young person to have a fair change for a good life. So many have had good lives because of him.

After Don left his position at Marin County’s Probation Department, he continued his mission, helping organizations such as Full Circle, a residential treatment facility in Bolinas that was a refuge for teenagers who had been victimized and traumatized by the circumstances of their early lives. Don made a home for and offered a future to numerous teens whom he fostered. His house was always a full house - full of young people, full of energy, optimism, goals and real hope for the future where, before Don, there had so often been despair.

Don was the founder, publisher and editor of The Great Western Pacific Coastal Post, a unique newspaper that gave place to voices and opinions that would not otherwise have been heard. Don was a musician and promoted other musicians at Smiley’s Schooner Saloon in Bolinas, which he owned for a time before he moved to the Willow Creek Campground in the Sierra foothills that he owned and managed until a few years ago.

There was a theme beyond the great love and service that Don showered on others, the hub of the wheel of his fruitful life. Wherever Don went, whatever Done did, he created a community. He drew people around him, inspired them to action, gave them goals, encouraged their efforts and praised their success. Don’s was a life well lived.