Kenneth C. Dean

1922 - 2014

Salinas

Kenneth C. Dean

Kenneth C. Dean was reunited with the love of his life, Jane, when he passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 15, 2014. They are once again dancing together in the Heavens to their favorite song "Stardust".

Kenneth was born August 26, 1922 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Kenneth lived by the Will Rogers credo "I never met a man I didn't like". He was a friend to all and stranger to none. During his long teaching career, he touched the lives of countless students and colleagues. He was truly a "people person".

Kenneth grew up in the small Florida town of Oneco, where his parents owned a dairy. He always spoke fondly of his time there. He graduated from Sarasota High School in 1940. While working in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he met his young bride to be, Jane Hendrix, when he rented a room in her grandmother's home. He always said "it was love at first sight". After a wartime romance they married October 22, 1942. Kenneth was drafted into the Army in 1943. He left his young bride to serve his country during World War II. He saw action in the Pacific Theater on a tiny island called Kwajalene. He had an honorable discharge in 1945 and reunited with his wife and first son, John, back in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He used the GI Bill to earn a teaching credential at Iowa State Teacher's College. He secured his first teaching job at Largo High School in Florida. After working on a Master's Degree at San Jose State, he decided to move his family to California where he was hired at North Salinas High School in 1965. He was a teacher and a 3 sport football, basketball, and baseball coach there for 19 years until retiring in 1984. One never to rest, he began a second teaching career at Independent Study. He continued working there until he retired in 2005, at the age of 82.

In his retirement years one of his greatest joys was seeing his grandson, Steven, practice and play football for Salinas High. He also doted on his great-granddaughter, Natalie, who was a ray of light in his life. Family was very important to him.

Kenneth was a humble man who loved God, family and friends. He was a member of First United Methodist Church for nearly 50 years. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Jane, in September 2013.

He is survived by his sons, John C. Dean, Kenneth R. Dean (Helen); grandsons, James Dean, Eric Espinoza, Gene Dean, Steven Dean; great-granddaughter, Natalie Espinoza, and also numerous relatives in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

The family of Kenneth would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the caregivers of Songbird Care Home, Home Away From Home, and The Ridge for their kind and loving care of our dad while he stayed in their facilities. We would also like to thank Dr. Jaspreet Dhillon, for her care of our father during his illness.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 404 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas. A reception will follow at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the SPCA.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. Online condolences www.struveandlaporte.com