Dean Paul Sharits

Dean Sharits age 79 of Saint Augustine, Florida Died December 17th, 2023.
Dean was born February 6th 1944 to Loran and June (Timmerman) Sharits in Mankato, Minnesota. Growing up he lived in Fairmont, North Mankato and Mankato, MN. He later resided in San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Miami Beach, Panama and Tega Cay, SC, Eventually retiring in St Augustine, Florida.
Dean attended Mankato High School and then enlisted in the Navy, where he attained the rank of Petty Officer second class. He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, Homeported in San Diego and was deployed twice to the far east during the Vietnam Era. Honorably discharged in 1965, he returned to Mankato and was employed by the Continental Can Company. After recovering from a serious motorcycle accident, he moved to Los Angeles and again worked for Continental where he became a Journeyman Machinist.
Dean began his professional career as a planning engineer for Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. While there he attended night classes and earned an AA degree in Engineering Technology. He then pursed his education full time, earning a BS in business Administration from California State University, Northridge and an MBA from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
For the next 25 years he had a rewarding career in the themed entertainment industry and the movie business. He held executive positions at Disney, Universal Studios, Apogee Productions, Landmark Entertainment Group and Paramount Parks. He eventually formed his own company, SHAZAM Company LLC, and for the final 10 years before he retired in 2010 he was a consultant and executive producer for a myriad of clients in the entertainment and recreation business.
He liked being outdoors playing Tennis and gold, and for many years was a long distance runner. He had a passion for interior design and with his wife, Dely, remolded every home they ever owned in the USA (And Panama).
Dean is survived by the love of his life Dely; Two sons, Jim Sharits (Kathy) of Ventura, CA and Bob Sharits of Santa Clarita, CA; a daughter, Holli Jo Houseknecht of Blasdale, NY; two step-daughters, Nadia Kaiden (Scott) of Maumelle, AR and Tania Semmerling of Las Vegas, NV; Sisters Rea King(Michael) and Wendy Allen (Sandy) both of Mankato, MN; Nine Grandchildren; a niece and three nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Steve, and his nephew, Nick Allen.
Dean was a patriot and loved his country. He was grateful for the opportunity to have served in the military. He was a born-again Christian and a member of Central Church of God in Charlotte, NC and Reverb Church in Saint Augustine, FL.