Arlis Daniel Dean, beloved husband of Nina Dean, passed away, October 26, 2018. He was born March 6, 1947 in Conroe, Texas. He then moved to Texarkana with his family. Shortly after, they moved to Magnolia, Arkansas, where he attended Magnolia Junior High School and met the love of his life, Nina. Arlis was two years older than Nina. They began dating his junior year of high school and were then engaged his senior year.
Arlis graduated from Magnolia High School in 1965. He then began college at Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas. While attending college, the Vietnam War was taking place. Instead of being drafted, he decided to volunteer. He was then sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for training and then to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for AIT. He then returned back to Magnolia, Arkansas.
Arlis and Nina were married on July 19, 1967. They then moved to Fort Benning, Georgia. Arlis was then sent to Vietnam in November of 1968 and would return in December of 1969. After his enlistment, they moved back to Arkansas. He received his Bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern State College and he would later receive his Master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He then told Nina he wanted to rejoin the Army as an officer. Arlis and Nina would call many places home including Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Seoul, Korea; Indianapolis, Indiana; Plano, Texas; Panama City, Panama; Bensalem, Pennsylvania and his last duty station Lake Ridge, Virginia. Arlis retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after twenty-six years of service in the United States Army. He received many awards, including two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit Medal.
Arlis and Nina then moved to Houston, Texas where he received a procurement position at RKI. After, Arlis and Nina took their first RV trip in 2006. Their RV friends became like family and they enjoyed all of the wonderful trips and places they were able to visit. Arlis enjoyed spending time with his family, which included his grandkids and great-grandson. Arlis was kind, loving, selfless and made friends with everyone he met. Although Arlis traveled to many different countries and states, he was proud to be an American and a proud Texan.
Arlis was preceded in death by his father, Arlis Dean; mother, Marguerite Dickerson; brother, Billy Hobson; and sister, Nardene Muehr. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nina Dean; his son, Michael; his daughter, Stephanie Harper; her husband, Robert; his granddaughter, Jade Gilbreath, husband Jackson; grandsons Taylor, Jacob, Jace and Zac; and his great-grandson Josiah.
