Richard A. "Dick" Dean

Richard "Dick" Dean, age 99, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 2, 2025. Born on September 2, 1926, in a home beside the Burton fairgrounds, Dick embodied the spirit of what Tom Brokaw called the Greatest Generation. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the Geauga County community, Dick's life was shaped by the legacy of his parents, Theron and Donna (nee: Bigelow) Dean, and his grandparents, all longtime Burton residents.
Dick's childhood memories included the bustling family hotel owned by his grandfather William Dean, the distinctive scents of the livery stable next door, and the shops his father operated in Burton's Main Street. One poignant moment was witnessing the loss of his father's rubber factory to fire-an event marked by his father's rare show of tears.
A gifted athlete from a young age, Dick was inspired by local basketball games and eventually became the leading scorer and point guard on Burton High School's county championship team in 1943. Known for his remarkable memory, he vividly recalled the names and skills of his opponents even decades later.
During the hardships of the Great Depression, young Dick earned money cutting lawns in Burton, one of the first push reel mowers he used is still functional today. He also took on various jobs, including newspaper sales near a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and road maintenance for Geauga County.
When the United States entered World War II, Dick joined the war effort, enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1944 after a fateful visit to the recruiting center with a friend. Trained as a radio operator, he witnessed the historic end of the war and was honorably discharged soon after.
Using the G.I. Bill, Dick pursued further education at Hiram College, where he was connected to a family legacy of service and leadership, including ties to the college's historic builder, Professor B. S. Dean. Summers saw him working alongside many local youth in his father's rubber factory, where he met Nancy Ferguson, the love of his life.
Nancy's family, the HK Ferguson Co. had a quietly significant role in World War II, contributing to the secretive construction of the uranium refining plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, marking the dawn of the atomic age.
Dick and Nancy married in 1948 and settled in Burton, raising four beloved children: Richard K. (Nancy) Dean, Debbie (Dan) Demko, Christie (Richard) Frenchie, and David Dean. They instilled in their family a strong commitment to community. Dick served as a volunteer firefighter from the early 1950s through the late-1960s and was a key founder of the Burton spring pancake breakfasts, a cherished local tradition.
Nancy pursued a dedicated career in art education, traveling throughout the Burton School District, while Dick expanded his community service by serving as president of the Burton Board of Education. Under his leadership, despite some setbacks, a new gymnasium and classroom additions were successfully built at the high school in 1975, enhancing educational opportunities.
A devoted member and deacon of the Burton Congregational Church, Dick's faith and family were central pillars of his life. Sports were a lifelong passion for Dick. Whether baseball, basketball, bowling, or golf, he was a fierce competitor and beloved teammate. A member of Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Florida, where he and Nancy spent winters, he famously scored five holes-in-one during his golfing career, a testament to his skill well into his 80s. As retirement approached, Dick and Nancy embraced the warmth of Florida, entertaining family and friends in their home and enjoying leisure activities like gardening, swimming, and attending art shows.
Dick lived a life marked by quiet determination, unwavering respect for others, and a deep sense of humility. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren; Kellie Demko (Warren), Todd Demko, Casey Dean (deceased), Robert Dean, great-grandchildren Austin Warren, Kelsie Warren-Wood, Holden Daniel Demko, Decker J. Demko and two great-great grandchildren, Emily and Hunter Wood, all who carry forward his name and values.
Richard "Dick" Dean who touched hundreds and hundreds of lives in his 99 years was a shining example of the Greatest Generation; a man devoted to family, community, country, and faith. His gentle spirit and principled life will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
The family will receive friend from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. The Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Welton Cemetery in Burton, Ohio where military honors will be received. The family suggest donations be made to The American Legion, Burton Chapter, 14052 Goodwin Avenue, Burton, Ohio 44021 or www.legion.org or Burton Congregational Church. 14558 West Park Street, Burton, OH 44021.
For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be live-streamed on the Burr Funeral Home website. To view the service, please visit the obituary page on their website.
Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.
Rest in peace, dear Dick.