Russell Dean Thedford

Russell Dean Thedford, known to many as Dean, was born on January 8, 1956, in Waco, Texas, to Ronald Bryan Thedford and Phyllis Audrey Hazlitt Thedford. He moved with his family to Corpus Christi, Texas, as a young boy, where he spent most of his life. At the age of 69, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, Dean went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Dean was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Thedford.

He is survived by his loving mother, Phyllis Thedford; his sister, Dawn Dowden and husband Chris Dowden; his brother, Jon Thedford and wife Elaine Thedford; and his sister, Janet Moretich and husband Michael Moretich and a large and cherished family of nieces and nephews: Natalie Roddy (David), Bryan Dowden (Tiffany), Kindel Atkinson (Allen), Kelsey Thedford, Kassi Locke (Jackson), Korey-Tyler Thedford (Juanita), Kasey Thedford, Nicole Branch (Victor), Michael Moretich, Jr. (Dijana), Dylan Moretich (Robin), and Trevor Moretich. He was also blessed with many great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.

Dean accepted Christ and was baptized as a young student at Trinity Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. His faith remained an important part of his life, and throughout the years he attended and was a member of Travis Baptist Church, Yorktown Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church.

He graduated from Mary Carroll High School in 1974 and went on to attend Corpus Christi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance.

During his working life, Dean was employed at Ronford Builders, working alongside his father for several years. He later served as a financial officer and spent a significant portion of his career in the oil and gas industry as a service manager for MD Totco.

Dean had a wide range of interests and talents. He was an avid reader. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, riding motorcycles, and was a skilled handyman who could build, repair, or restore almost anything he set his mind to-including antique clocks and fans, household appliances, and computers. He took pride in home repairs and working on and detailing cars. Dean also treasured time spent with his nieces and nephews, finding great joy in being part of their lives.

Dean will be remembered for his faith, his intelligence, his creativity, and his quiet dedication to his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.