Arnold Claude "Arnie" Dean

1930 - 2023

Arnold Claude "Arnie" Dean Arnold Claude Dean (Arnie), born November 1, 1930 in Bayard, Nebraska and he died peacefully at home in Ellensburg, Washington on April 21, 2023 surrounded by family.

Arnie spent his early childhood on family farms in Bayard, NE and Boulder, CO. When Arnie was a youngster, his family moved to Seattle, WA. He attended Garfield High School, where he met his future bride, Dolores Jean Thomas (Dee). Upon graduation he went to work for Sears and in 1951 he was drafted into the Army. Dee made it clear she wouldn't wait for him, so they were married 10 days before he left for boot camp. Arnie was trained as an Ordinance Storage Specialist and was subsequently deployed to active duty in Korea for 18 months. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal (T) and he resumed his career in management at Sears where he retired 36 years later.

Shortly after his stint in the Army, Arnie and Dee started their family, welcoming son Kevin, followed by daughter Kathie and finally daughter Kerri. Over the years, Arnie and Dee lived in North City, Shoreline, Lake Kachess, Cle Elum & Ellensburg, WA. When Arnie retired, he and Dee moved into the dream home they designed and built together on the shores of Lake Kachess. This is the home where many wonderful family memories were made with 4 generations of the Dean clan. The family spent many weekends and summer vacations tent camping at their beloved Lake Kachess and Alta Lake, where Arnie taught his kids, many of their friends and most of his grandkids how to water ski. Arnie and Dee loved to travel and they eventually purchased a vacation home in Yuma, AZ, where they enjoyed being snowbirds for a number of years. Arnie enjoyed snow and water skiing, snowmobiling, boating, fishing, bowling, sky diving, dirt biking, camping, hiking, photography, traveling and golfing.

Over the years Arnie belonged to a number of organizations including the Jr. Chamber of Commerce (JC's), Kittitas County Fire District 8, the Kachess Klimbers Snowmobile Club and the Sun Country Golf Club where he served as president of the men's club for a number of years. In addition, he served in numerous volunteer roles in the Kachess Village community including fire fighter, snowplow driver, water master and held many positions on the Kachess Village Home Owners Association.

He was a fitness fanatic and was proud of the fact that he could do 100 pushups well into his 70's. He worked out at the gym on a regular basis into his late 80's. He also took his beloved dog, Katie, on long walks around Cle Elum, where he would stop into many local businesses for a visit and dog treats.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Dee Dean, of Ellensburg, WA, Children; Kevin Dean of Buckeye, AZ, Kathie Stratton (Vern) of Ellensburg, WA, Kerri McKillop (Ed) of Richland, WA and Daughter in Law, Cindy Dean of Salem, OR. He is also survived by Grandchildren; Andrea Daniels (Joe), Ryan McKillop (Heidi), Justine Brard (Alex), Sean McKillop (Sarah), Brian Dean (Karen), Kyle McKillop (Molly), Jenelle Limbeck (Jon), Greg Stratton (Nicci), Geoff Stratton (Jazmyn). In addition, he is survived by 12 Great Grandchildren; Emmanuel, Asher, Marcel, Addy, Parker, Tegan, Milo, Porter, Weston, Anna, Alice & Veronica with the 13th, Walter Arnold, arriving later this year.

Arnie is preceded in death by his parents, Walter John Dean and Ila Esther Dean (Roberts), his siblings, Raymond Dean (Lillian), Ilamae Link (Richard), Walden Dean (Louise) & most recently, his beloved 16 year old dog, Katie.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Pacifica Senior Living for their loving care of both Arnie and Dee, Kittitas Valley Healthcare & Hospice and Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue. A special thanks to the Cle Elum Community for honking, waving or welcoming Arnie and Katie into your businesses as they made their daily rounds about town. It meant the world to him.

If you asked Arnie, he would tell you that his greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his family. His mantra was "family is everything." He will be remembered for his incredibly positive attitude, his boundless love for his family and the outdoors.

At Arnie's request, there will be a party in his honor on August 1st. Please contact Kathie Stratton at 425 503-9298 for details.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospice, the Yakima Humane Society or the Alzheimer's Association.