Wallace Edward Dean

1934 - 2024

WALLACE EDWARD DEAN, 89, of Lavalette, W.Va., husband of Kathleen Ross Dean, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, at his residence. He was born July 12, 1934, a son of the late John and Laura Oneta Buskirk Dean. Wallace was a member of the graduating class of 1952 at Ceredo-Kenova High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University and his Master's of Science from Marshall University. Wallace retired from the Army Corps of Engineers after 35 years of service. He had also worked for the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and briefly taught at Ceredo-Kenova High School. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1976. He had the distinction of being WV's first Certified Wildlife Biologist in 1978. Wallace became a member of the Professional Wildlife Society in 1989. He received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service from the Boy Scouts of America in 1991; the Commander's Award for Civilian Service Dept. of the Army in 2001 and Superior Civilian Service Award Dept. of the Army in 2006. In 2005, Wallace was the Environmental Project Director for the Dolly Sods UXO Project receiving a Telly Award for film "Enjoying Dolly Sods Safely." He was also a founder of the Wilderness Rangers Program in 1984 sponsored by the American Legion Post 93 in Kenova, W.Va. In addition to his wife, Wallace is survived by his son, Shaun A. (Deborah H.) Dean and their children Jacob A. (Angie) Dean, their children Fischer, Sawyer and Henlee; Luke P. (Stephanie) Dean, their daughter Paige; and Randie (Javey) Vance and their daughters Lillie and Rose May; his daughter Jinah J. (Robert) Cook and their sons Robert T. and Ryan M. Cook; son Sonny (Wendy, deceased) Haren and their children Ethan (Azure) Haren; Lydia C. (Brandon) Louth and their daughter Sloan; daughter Gina Stevens, deceased, (Tim) and her daughter Callie B. (Tony) Cicenas and their children Shelby, Shay Tanner (Ricky), Sydney and Asher; many nieces, nephews and other family members. Wallace loved the outdoors. He and Kathleen enjoyed traveling and finding a good place to share a meal. He liked being with his family and will be missed by all who loved him. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, W.Va. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wilderness Rangers Program and mailed to Grady Brewer, 95 Feely Drive, Ona, WV 25545. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.