Dean Mark LeBrecht

Dean Mark LeBrecht was born in Galveston TX May 22, 1954, one of a set of twins who were the 3rd and 4th of Hank and Joyce LeBrecht's six children.
During his childhood the family moved to Michigan, later settling in the Chicago area where Dean spent his adolescence and graduated high school. He followed his older brother David out to California at 18 years old, fell in love with the West Coast and made it his permanent home. After time spent in Oregon and the Bay Area, Dean settled in Southern California, where he attended and graduated from San Diego
State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology.
Dean had a heart of gold, and a love of people and connection, and his caring, compassionate nature led him into many fields. He worked as an aide at nursing home, a group home for the disabled, and a psychiatric hospital, and frequently chronicled his surroundings and interactions with the people he encountered with his ever-present camera. Spurred by his love of photography, Dean took a job at Olan Mills creating portraits for individuals, couples and families alike. During a sitting with one particularly captivating young lady named Mechelle, Dean worked up the courage to ask her out on a date – a year later, she would become his wife; they were married for 36 years.
Dean's varied career path eventually led him to a position as a Senior Claims Advisor at San Diego Gas & Electric, where he stayed until his retirement in 2016.
Dean and Mechelle loved to explore together, and especially enjoyed visiting and spending as much time as possible with their family, both nearby and across the country. They traveled for reunions, graduations, weddings and birthdays often. A treasure trove of photographs from every event remains with us, thanks to Dean's constant, almost journalistic documentation.
Dean was a dedicated husband, supportive brother, treasured uncle, and much-beloved friend, and nurtured those relationships devotedly. Dean was preceded in death by his father Henry LeBrecht Jr., mother Joyce LeBrecht, twin Dale, brother David, father-in-law Ron Secord and mother-in-law Pat Secord.
He is survived by his wife Mechelle LeBrecht, sisters Carol (Glenn) Williams, Amy (David) Williams, Melanie (Phil) Wesa, brother-in-law Ted (Louise) Secord, sister-in-law Stephanie Secord, 18 nieces and nephews, 21 great-nieces and nephews and a great-grand-niece and nephew, as well as a wide community of friends.
We will miss his wit, his thoughtfulness, his playful nature, his sensitivity, his easy laugh, his mischief, his big hugs, his artful spirit, his effortless fashion sense, his eclectic musical taste... all that made him our Dean.
There will be a celebration of life held early in the new year. Our family would like to thank the caregivers and support staff of Silverado Escondido Memory Care for their loving care of Dean.