Clifton H. Dean

1927 - 2011

Clifton H. Dean, 84, of Crow Flat, N.M., passed away Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at home.
There will be no visitation; cremation has taken place. A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat, N.M., with Dalton Bell officiating. Interment will follow in Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat, N.M. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Clifton H. Dean was born May 13, 1927, in Alamogordo, N.M., to Herman and Mae (Lewis) Dean. He was drafted while still in high school. Clifton served his country in the US Marine Corp. during World War II and, after being honorably discharged, he returned and finished high school in Weed, N.M. 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 NMSU 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, N.M., 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, N.M., and Quentin Dean and wife, Dana of Crow Flat, N.M.; 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.