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Merrill Dean Obituary
In the early morning hours of August 5th, Merrill Clark Dean, 83, was called home to our Heavenly Father.
Merrill was born in South Bend, Indiana to Mortimer and Jeanette Dean. His love of connecting with people started at an early age. He was the son of an Army Chaplain and moved often. These moves took the family to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Texas where his sister Mary Lou was born.
At 12 years old, the family moved to California. Merrill loved surfing every morning before school. At 13, he was the youngest Ham radio (K6OXU) to get his license. He attended University High and graduated in 1959.
He stayed close to home for college, attended UCLA and joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated with his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in 1966. Following college, Merrill served in the United States Air Force.
After returning home, he was hired by the Disney Corporation. This new role took him to South America where he lived, learned Spanish and realized a love for travel.
On a return trip home, he met a beautiful flight attendant named Tamara Tisdale. They were married on October 30, 1971.
Their first daughter, Lauren was born in 1980, and second daughter, Leslie in 1983.
New jobs took the family to Northern California and Scottsdale, Arizona which Merrill would call home for 25 years.
Following retirement, he settled down in Idaho, closest to family. Merrill loved summers at the lake and cheering for his grandsons on the baseball field.
Merrill and Tammy were married for 52 years. He is survived by his daughters, Lauren (David) Everson; Leslie (Scott) Renna; grandchildren: Kyle, Hunter and Brendan Everson; sister, Mary Lou Dean and brother-in-law, Thomas Tisdale. He is preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held next summer on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Please visit Merrill's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Merrill Dean
1 Entry
Bob Campbell
December 19, 2024
We met via ham radio as mid teenagers. Our friendship grew and we engaged socially regularly. We went to the beach for surfing and meeting girls. Had many beach parties at Playa Del Rey, where we could build fires. I brought my big, tube-type radio for music. My amateur call sign was K6PIY.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. His memories will be remembered as long as I'm on this earth. RIP Merrill!
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