Dean Thomas Soward

Dean attended La Porte High School where he was a basketball star. He later attended San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas until he made his final move to Austin. In Austin, he practiced as an optician after opening his own business, Oak Hill Optical. He managed Oak Hill Optical for over 20 years while raising two children with his wife Pamela. While his business was very successful he was devastated by the loss of his wife at age 35 to cancer.

In his free time, Dean enjoyed playing disc golf, watching University of Texas football games, and listening to live music. His favorite music was folk and rock music from the 1970s to the present. We will dearly miss his large laughter and his casual laid-back style.

Dean is survived by his daughters Siobhan (Shivon) Soward of Norfolk, Virginia, and Marie Sofijczuk of Dallas, Texas; grandsons Ashlin Pariseau of Austin, Texas, and Emerson Sofijczuk of Dallas, Texas; mother Irma Deane Soward of Austin, Texas; brothers James Soward of Austin, Texas, Stephen Soward (Jaye Lynne) of Austin, Texas, and Daniel (Tina) Soward of Fort Worth, Texas; as well as by nieces and nephews Arri and Adrienne Morris of Austin, Texas and Ronald DeLeon and Rita Jones of Fort Worth, Texas.

A private burial is to be conducted at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin Texas at 11:00 AM on September 30th, 2022.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 407 Ridgewood Rd, Austin, Texas 78746 on Friday, September 30, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the HAAM charity for healthcare services for musicians via the link below.