Don Relle Dean

Born on November 4, 1931, in Port Lavaca, Texas, Don was raised in a home grounded in faith and love. He graduated from FW Gross High School in Victoria, Texas in 1948 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Prairie View A&M University in 1952.

Don served during the Korean War as a First Lieutenant with the 4th Infantry Division. Due to post-war reductions of commissioned officers, he elected to transition to the Air Defense Artillery branch as an enlisted Soldier. He then began a career spanning three decades of uniformed service with the U.S. Army. Stationed primarily at Fort Bliss, Don rose through the ranks to become a Chief Warrant Officer Four.

After retiring from active duty in 1982, Don continued his commitment to national defense as an Army Civil Servant for another fifteen years.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Julia Dean; daughter Vella Bullock (Ed Bullock); son Don A. Dean (Jeri Dean); daughter Debra Volley (Dale Volley) ; and son Major General (Retired) Garry Dean (Elena Dean); stepdaughters Beverly Estrada and Mary Alice Estrada (Hector); stepson Frank Estrada (Silvia); along with twenty grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. His life was a testament to service to his nation and excellence in all he put his mind to, leaving a legacy cherished by all who knew him.

Don is preceded in death by his previous spouse Jerlene Sowell Dean, and his parents Alex and Elizabeth Dean.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home - East 1460 George Dieter Drive. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 09:00 AM to 10:15 AM at Immanuel Baptist Church 1201 Hawkins Boulevard. Following the service, interment will be held from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery 5200 Fred Wilson Boulevard with full military Honors.

Pallbearers: Gemeral Berry, Garry Dean, Julian Grubbs, Christian Rodriguez, Brian Simmons and Dale R. Volley.

May his memory bring comfort and strength to those who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Go to https://www.parkinson.org/ – click DONATE+, select Tribute Gift In Memory Of, and enter Don Dean.