Nelson Dean Slaymaker

1961 - 2008

Our beloved son, father, grandfather and friend, Nelson "Dean" Slaymaker, 47, of Twin Falls, died Sept. 19, 2008, due to complications from a surgical procedure. Dean was born in Ephrata, Penn., on June 27, 1961, to Paul Nelson and Dorothy Mae Slaymaker. In 1970 Dean and his mother moved to Oregon where Dorothy met and married Fay Duane Hutson, "dad" to Dean.
The family moved to Rexburg in 1975, where Dean attended Madison High School. At age 16 Dean discovered his passion for auto body. To Dean, auto body was more than just fixing and painting wrecked cars – it was an art. You could see that just by looking at any of the custom cars Dean built.
On Feb. 1, 1980, Dean was married to Deena Rose Newman of Howe. During their 14-year marriage, they had four children, Randy N. (Stacey Evans) Slaymaker, Andrea Rose (Justin) Wallis, Brittany Dee (Nick) Watson and James Dean (Meredith LaPatra) Slaymaker. In March of 2004, Dean met his fiance, Joyce Ann Meyer. Together they operated Dean's dream of his own auto body shop, Dean's Buhl Collision Repair.
Dean is survived by his father, mother, stepfather, children and his fiance. He is also survived by his brother, Faye Duane Hutson Jr., and his grandchildren Katie Wallis, Jesse Wallis, Cayden Slaymaker, Kyle Baldwin, Kayla Burns, Shanay Burns, Justin Burns and Bobby Joe Evans. Dean is preceded in death by his grandparents, as well as several aunts and uncles.
Dean was a hardworking, high spirited, carefree man who loved a good joke.
He had many passions in life, including his family (especially his grandchildren), his dogs, and his 1967 Firebird. Dean had a great love for the outdoors. Whether camping, fishing or boating he enjoyed it most when spent with family.
He had an innate ability to cook, and received much gratification when doing so with family. Dean had many hobbies, including building classic muscle cars and traveling (He loved the coast). Though his time on earth was short, Dean's life was filled with love and compassion. He will always be remembered for the wonderful traits he possessed, and will be missed dearly.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the LDS 9th Ward building with a visitation one hour prior to services. Bishop J.R. Standard will be officiating. Interment will follow services at Twin Falls Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends was held Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at White Mortuary "Chapel by the Park."
Memorials may be made for Dean using Brittany Watson's name and ZIP code 83330 at any Wells Fargo Bank. Please join the family in celebrating Dean's life by sharing stories or signing the on-line guest book at www.mem.com.