Dean Lane was born February 5, 1935 in Old Joe, Arkansas to William Harrison Lane and Bertha Havner Lane. He was the youngest of eight children. After graduating from Mountain Home High School (Mountain Home, Arkansas), Dean enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Okinawa during the Korean War. While based in the Houston, Texas area in 1957, he met and married Betty Chumley. Dean and Betty moved to Lawrence, Kansas where daughter Donna was born. After discharge from the Air Force, they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas where Dean enrolled at the University of Arkansas and completed his degree in Electrical Engineering. While in Fayetteville, son Michael and daughter Leslie were born. Together, Dean and Betty enjoyed almost fifty-seven years of marriage. They worked hard to provide a loving home for their family.
Dean worked for thirty plus years as an Electronics Design Engineer for Collins Radio and Rockwell International. He contributed to many notable communications projects for various governmental agencies and NASA. After retirement, Dean and Betty moved to east Texas and settled in the community of Hide-a-Way where they had many happy, active years and close friendships. Dean particularly enjoyed playing golf at Hide-a-Way and also spent much of his time landscaping his beautiful yard and working in his workshop. Dean’s lifelong interest in music blossomed while at Hide-a-Way as he performed in several variety shows, playing his guitar and singing.
As health concerns became more of a reality, Dean and Betty moved to Keller, Texas to be close to daughter Donna and better health care. They lived at The Conservatory Senior Living community until Betty’s passing in July 2014. In September of 2015, Dean accompanied Donna and Michael in moving to Katy, Texas.
Dean never ceased to enjoy the mountains of Arkansas where he grew up and visited as often as he could to enjoy the rugged bluffs, narrow winding roads, and the beautiful White River. A favorite summer vacation was to stay at the White River Resort and to fish the river, or to visit with family who lived in the area or who traveled in for Decoration Day at Galatia Cemetery in June.
Dean Lane is survived by his daughter, Donna (Michael) Turnbow, grandson Ben Wilemon, grandson Jeremy (Terra) Rankin, granddaughter Kate (Steven) Dickson, and grandson Jesse (Theresa Carbonaro) Rankin. Great-grandchildren include Braeden Garland, Jacob Garland, Ty Lily Rankin, Lane Dickson, Caleb Dickson, and Reese Dickson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his wife Betty, son Michael, and daughter Leslie. He is remembered as a caring and self-sacrificing father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a beloved uncle and friend.
A service honoring the life of Dean Lane will be held Monday, March 12 at 10:00 at Foust Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas. Visitation will be on the same date from 9:00 – 10:00. Interment will be at 11:30, March 12 at the DFW National Cemetery.
