Tommy Leroy Dean, 93

Tommy Leroy Dean of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away Oct. 22, 2014, in Post Falls. He was 93 years old.

Tommy was born Dec. 26, 1920, to Willie and Sarah Dean in Jermyn, Texas. He was raised in Texas, moved to Colorado and was a sheep herder for a few years, moved to Arizona and picked cotton, then served in the U.S. Army in 1941 for four years and spent two years in Italy.

Tommy married Joanne Oakes in 1951 they had five children: Carol Pettibone of Pearce, Ariz., Connie Dean and Larry Dean of Dragoon, Ariz., Deanna Hayes of Post Falls and Peggy Dean of Twin Falls, Idaho; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Tommy moved to Idaho in June 1963; he was divorced in 1976. He suffered an Aphasia stroke on Oct. 14, 1993, and was taken to Coeur d'Alene Homes in 1995 until 2008, then Tommy was taken to Post Falls Hearth Stone Assisted Living. He had a heart attack Aug. 31, 2014, was hospitalized, then moved to Hospice on Sept. 2, 2014, started recovering, then moved to Life Care in Post Falls on Sept. 9, 2014.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father in 1960, mother in 1971, sister Lorene Bell in 1991, brother William Dean 1994, brother Lester Dean 1998, sister Corene Green in 2000, brother Joseph Dean 2002, sister Edyth Burt in 2001, brother Oliver Dean in 2007, sister Morene Parker in August 2014, and daughter Connie Dean on Nov. 2, 2010.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.