Lloyd Dean

Lloyd Dean, age 95, of US 60 East, Morehead, widower of Arvetta Plank Dean, and well-known community leader, went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 13, 2026, at U.K-St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead.

Born August 17, 1930, in East Chicago, Indiana, he was a son of the late Bert Dean and Minty Creech Dean. In addition to his wife and his parents, Lloyd was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Dean, in 2023, and an infant brother, Alan Ralph Dean, in 1934.

He is survived by one sister, Rebecca Fern Brown of Niles Ohio, two nieces, Juanita Lynn Trice of Tupelo, Mississippi, and Monica Renee Wesely of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; one nephew, Eric Allen Dean of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and extended family including longtime special friends, Jerry and Ashley Bowen and their son Noah of Haldeman.

Arvetta and Lloyd were united in marriage on October 2, 1954, in Morehead while Lloyd was serving in the Air Force. They lived in Riverside, California, for three years before returning to Morehead in 1957 where they involved themselves in school, church, and community. Arvetta lovingly cared for more than 300 children in their home and was a constant helpmate to her devoted husband of 60 years. She passed away January 29, 2015.

Although he was born in Indiana, Lloyd was raised primarily in Kentucky, where he devoted his life to faith, education, community service, and preserving local history. He began his education in the Little Perry one-room schoolhouse, attended Haldeman Elementary and High School, and graduated from Morehead High School in 1949.

He attended the University of Kentucky from 1952 to 1953 before serving his country in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957, with assignments in Guam and England. He continued in the inactive reserves until 1963. Brother Dean became a minister in 1955 while stationed in the Air Force in California.

After military service, Lloyd graduated from Morehead State University (then Morehead College) in 1958; received his master's degree in 1959; and his guidance certification in 1962.

In March 1959, he founded and became pastor of Morehead United Pentecostal Church, faithfully serving in that role until August 2002. Upon retirement as active pastor, he was named Pastor Emeritus, a title he held from August 2002 to the present. In 1962, he was ordained in Madisonville, Kentucky, and for over four decades shepherded his congregation with dedication and compassion.

His ministry extended far beyond the church walls. He spent 17 years ministering in prisons and conducted weekly services and taught drug prevention classes for 20 years at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Center in West Liberty. For approximately 40 years, he held church services at the Life Care Center in Morehead. From 1970 to 2000, he shared messages of hope through his radio broadcast, "I Have Hope," on Radio Station WMOR.

A lifelong educator and counselor, he served as teacher and counselor at Felicity/Franklin Elementary and High School in Ohio from 1959 to 1963 and was a former president of the Clermont County, Ohio Personnel and Guidance Association. Beginning in 1970, he served as counselor in 22 Carter County schools, becoming the first full-time counselor at Prichard, Hitchins, and Carter County High School. He later became the first counselor at Rowan County High School, serving from 1970 to 1992. During his distinguished career, he also served as former president of the Carter County Education Association and former president of the East Kentucky Personnel and Guidance Association. He was President of the Rowan County Retired Teachers Association and taught GED classes at Haldeman School.

Deeply committed to student development, he organized the Rowan County High School 4-H Club in 1970 and started the Junior Historical Society Club there in the late 1970s. He served as Rowan County Spelling Bee Director throughout the 1970s and 1980s and had served as a judge for the Future Farmers of America at Morehead State University since 1964. In recognition of his service, he received the Honorary Regional Farmer Degree from the Future Farmers of America in 1985–86.

Lloyd was a great promoter of the Haldeman area. He was a founding member of the Hayes Crossing-Haldeman Volunteer Fire Department which began as a discussion on his front porch with Jerry Bowen and Terry Knipp in 1997. Always actively involved in the department, he served as Chaplin and board member for many years. He was a founding member of the Haldeman-Hayes Crossing Community Center and the Haldeman Museum. Photos of his great-grandparents from the area are proudly displayed over the mantle at the Morehead Cracker Barrel.

His passion for history and genealogy was lifelong. In 1955, he founded the Rowan County Historical Society and served several terms as president. He was named President Emeritus in 2003. He organized the annual Dean and Creech Reunions beginning in 1975 and launched the Haldeman Community Reunion in 1980, which became a beloved annual gathering drawing attendees from more than a dozen states. He chaired the Rowan County Historical Marker Program for more than 15 years and contributed to genealogy magazines and historical publications since 1959. He wrote or contributed to more than 200 books, including works documenting Pentecostal heritage in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and recognizing the contributions of Kentucky's Pentecostal women. His last work was published in 2025.

In 1958, he founded the Kentucky District News for the United Pentecostal Church and served as its editor for 13 years. He served for over 25 years on the District Board of the Kentucky United Pentecostal Church in the capacities of presbyter, secretary/treasurer, and honorary member. He also served as President of the Kentucky Bible Institute, with centers in Morehead, Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, and Paducah.

He chaired the President's Council on Children in Carter County during the 1960s and was instrumental in advocating at the national level for children's recognition. Through his efforts, working with George W. Bush, Jim Bunning, and members of Congress, National Children's Day was established in 2001 to be observed on the first Sunday of June each year.

For his many contributions, he was honored by several Kentucky governors as a Kentucky Colonel. In 2003, he received Proclamations of Recognition from the Kentucky Senate for his work with the Hayes Crossing-Haldeman Volunteer Fire Department and for his service to the Rowan County Historical Society. In 2004, the Kentucky Senate adjourned in his honor upon his receipt of a Community Service Award.

Throughout his life, he exemplified unwavering faith, tireless service, and deep love for his community. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched as pastor, educator, historian, counselor, author, and advocate.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Pastor Anthony Keaton, Pastor Daniel Carter and Rev. Michael Anderson officiating. Following the service, full military honors will be presented by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126 at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Brown Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved Arvetta.

Pallbearers will be Tony Cooper, Brian Burton, Tanner Utterback, Scott Barker, Tim Fultz, Rick Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerome Bowen, Members of the Hayes Crossing-Haldeman Fire Department, and members of the Rowan County Retired Teachers Association

Visitation will be 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hayes Crossing-Haldeman Fire Department, P O Box 67, Morehead, KY 40351; Haldeman Museum, 4500 Open Fork Road, Morehead, KY 40351; Haldeman-Hayes Crossing Community Center, 4399 Open Fork Road, Morehead, KY 40351, Rowan County Historical Society, P O Box 60, Morehead, KY 40351

View memorial tribute or sign online guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com