Clifton H. Dean

Clifton H. Dean, 84, of Crow Flat, passed away Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at his home.
There will be no visitation; cremation has taken place.
A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat, with Dalton Bell officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat.
Denton-Wood Funeral Home, 1001 N. Canal St., Carlsbad, NM 88220, (575) 885-6363, is in charge of the arrangements.
Clifton H. Dean was born May 13, 1927, in Alamogordo to Herman and Mae (Lewis) Dean. He was drafted while still in high school. Clifton served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and after being honorably discharged he returned and finished high school in Weed. He married Mildred Payne on Aug. 12, 1948. Clifton said from the moment he laid eyes on Millie, she was his. She was the love of his life and the best partner he ever had. They moved to their Berlin Ranch in the Brokeoff Mountains where they sheep ranched and raised their children. Later they moved to Crow Flat so the kids could attend high school. Clifton went to work for New Mexico State University as a trapper and retired after 23 years. He was inducted into the Kit Carson Trappers Hall of Fame and always enjoyed life at the ranch. He had a great love for good quarter horses that he owned and raised. Clifton said that a horse wasn't worth much unless they would pitch a little when they were fresh. Clifton was an avid fiddler and loved good fiddle music. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred "Millie" Dean; and sisters Minnie Ruth Kemp and Lavada Lewis.
Survivors include five children: Winnamae Gage and husband, Nick, of Artesia, Crockett Dean and wife, Pam, of Dell City, Texas, Becky Dean-Walker and husband, Dennis, of Sierra Blanca, Texas, Francis Dean Taylor and husband, Bruce, of Deming, and Quentin Dean and wife, Dana, of Crow Flat; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother Upton Dean and wife, Linda, of Rascoe, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sara Snow, Star Dean, Whitney Walker, Quee Williams, Dani Shrum, Carye Shrum and Shyra Tate.
Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.