Harold Dean Lafferty

Harold Dean Lafferty passed away peacefully Thursday evening, January 16, 2025, with his wife, Marcella, of 63 years nearby. Dean was born on April 6, 1934, in Garrett, Kentucky. He was one of 8 children born to the late Arthur Laferty and the late Elma Holbrook Laferty. 

In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles, Buster, Bill, Bobby, and Ray; and one sister, Wanda Lee. Dean is survived by one sister, Vivian Withrow of McArthur, Ohio. 

Dean served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he was a sharpshooter and a demolition expert. Dean worked as a custodian at Hamden Elementary and at Merillat Cabinets.

Dean married the love of his life, Marcella Jane Cartee on June 30, 1961. Together they created a loving home where their three children were their greatest treasures. Although they couldn’t give them much financially, the time spent and love shown to each is without value.

Dean dearly loved his family. He loved spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the many friends they brought to visit. 

Dean also loved his dogs and the outdoors. He spent many hours rabbit and squirrel hunting, fishing for his favorite largemouth bass in various ponds and lakes, and mushroom hunting when in season. He also dug ginseng, bloodroot, and yellowroot. He was a trapper and dried animal skins to sell along with the roots he dug - often using the money from the hides and roots to buy school clothes for his kids. He didn’t have the opportunity to travel much but absolutely loved the ocean when he had the chance to see it. He loved sitting in the breaking waves - his laughter after each wave knocked him over was loud and boisterous. He genuinely loved life and cherished every moment he was given.

Dean was a member of the McArthur Free Will Baptist Church and often talked about the goodness of his Lord and the blessings the Lord had given him.

Dean is survived by his wife, Marcella; two daughters, Diana (Randy) Johnston of Allensville, Ohio and Beverly (Michael) Locklear of Savannah, Georgia; one son, Eric Lafferty of McArthur, Ohio; six grandchildren: Aprille (Brandon) Park, Zach (Kaitlyn) Johnston, Sarah (Ethan) Lawson, Caleb (Meredith) Locklear, Caitlyn Lafferty, and Autumn Lafferty; five great-grandchildren: Asher, Oliver, Evelyn, Cecilia, and Amelia. 

The family expresses their gratitude to the incredible caregivers at Maple Hills Nursing Home.

Visitation will be held at Noon on Monday, January 27, 2025, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St, McArthur. Interment will be in Hamden Cemetery, Hamden.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com