Eugene Dean

1953 - 2026

Eugene Delos Dean passed away on January 17, 2026, in Spring Creek, Nevada, at the age of 72 from kidney failure. He spent three months at the Highland Manor before choosing to go home, where he was surrounded by his loving family in his final days.

Born on January 31, 1953, in Sugarhouse, Utah, Eugene spent his early years in the community where he would later start his own family. He met his beloved wife, Donna Palmer, in high school orchestra class-teasing her for wearing slippers to school after foot surgery-a moment that marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership. They were married on August 4, 1973, in Sugarhouse and sealed in the Salt Lake City temple one year and one day later.

Eugene began his working life as a pharmacy delivery driver before spending 17 years at the Serta mattress factory, working his way up from the bottom to plant manager. He later joined Barrick as an equipment operator, where he worked for 30 years. Known affectionately by coworkers as "Mean Gene Dean"-a nickname earned for being anything but mean-he was respected for his kindness and dedication. On his days off from the mine, Eugene could often be found repairing sewing machines at Elko Sew & Vac.

Music remained a constant joy throughout Eugene's life. He played the piano, clarinet, and saxophone. He also had a love for NASCAR and race cars and enjoyed working as a backyard mechanic alongside his brother. His daughters brag about how handy he was around the house with remodeling projects and repairs. He learned these skills from the time he and Donna spent as apartment managers in their early marriage.

A funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 234 Boyd-Kennedy Road in Spring Creek on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Eugene's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. May his legacy bring comfort and inspiration to all who were touched by his life. He is survived by his wife Donna Palmer Dean; daughters Heather (Mark) Ballew, Crissy Santillan, and Kimberley (Doug) Heimgartner; grandchildren Kaitlin and Sean Callahan, Whitney and Martin Aguilar, Kelsey and Spencer Laney, Brandon and Abigail Martinez, Lexy Ballew, Jorden Heimgartner, Brooklyn Santillan, and Austin Heimgartner; and ten great-grandchildren.