Albert Dean

Albert Dean better known as "Mike" of Indio, Calif., born April 8, 1919, was welcomed into the waiting arms of our Lord on July 8, 2009. Mike was born in Buckeye, Ariz. to Abdulla S. and Carmen (Amparano) Dean. His family farmed truck crops in Arizona until after the market crashed. They came to California in 1935 and settled in the Imperial Valley until Mike joined the Army Air Corps at the on set of World War II in 1942. Mike was the oldest of six children and is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Nellie Mohammed and Mary Gomez; brothers, Johnny and Barney Dean; and his beloved wife, Rosie L. Dean. He leaves behind his youngest brother, George Dean of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven children; thirty grandchildren; and fifty great-grandchildren. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, many other relatives and many friends. Mike served in the U.S. Air Force known as the Army Air Corps during WWII. First he qualified for Engineering Airplane Mechanic then pilot training. Mike was one of the first Mexican/American to be accepted to flight school. He received his wings at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Mike flew 56 missions out of Australia, the SW Pacific and the Philippines from Clark Air Base. He was a captain and pilot of a 4 engine, B24-J Liberator with the 5th Air Force, Red Raiders, 19th Bomb Squadron, and 22nd Bomb Group. After WWII Mike attended Cal Poly in Pomona and received a vocational degree in Farming. He arrived in the Coachella Valley in 1951 and remained here for 58 years. Mike farmed produce under "Dean Vegetables" in the Thermal, Oasis District until 1955. His talents included many things: a diesel mechanic, a pilot, a rancher, a letter carrier, a dishwasher, a chef and a security guard. Mike Dean found his niche in life when he became a rural letter carrier for Route 2 in Thermal, Calif. for the U.S. Postal Service. In July of 1980 he was named the outstanding national letter carrier of the year from the State of California at the California Rural Letter Carrier Association's convention in Redding. Upon his retirement in 1979, the United States Postal Service honored him by giving him a Service Award for an honorable career spanning 24 years. He also served on many committees for the rural carriers, was a long time and avid school board member and School Board President for the Coachella Valley Unified School District and was a member the Thermal Chamber of Commerce. Mike and his loving wife, Rosie, had twelve children: Rebecca (deceased), Michealle Fuerte of Rialto, Dianna Whitener (deceased), Albert Jr. (deceased), Richard (deceased), James of Indio, Victor of Indio, Abdulla (deceased), Arthur of Salton City, Alexander of Indio, Anthony of Indio, and Jeffery of San Diego. A life of service, generosity and kindness was what Mike emulated. His zest for life and love for his family is what has created all the happy and loving memories that will be cherished and shared forever. A Life and Memorial Service for Mike Dean will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Grace Chapel Indio, 48395 Madison Street, Indio, CA. A Graveside Service with Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force and the American Legion will be held Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 8:00 A.M., at the Coachella Valley Cemetery, Ave 52 and Jackson, Coachella, CA. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to the East Valley Memorials Foundation Inc., PO Box 513, Palm Desert, CA 92261-0513.