James Reagan Dean

Reagan was born in Ruston, Louisiana, on December 31, 1940 to James Benjamin Dean and Arrie Cecil Dean. His early years were spent in Louisiana and Portland, Oregon during WWII. After leaving Portland his parents moved the family to Oakland, California. In 1956, his baby sister, Denise joined the family. He was very excited to have a sister. Reagan attended Harding Academy in Searcy, Arkansas graduating in 1958. While at Harding, he lettered in three sports, basketball, football, and track. Upon graduation, he returned to California where he attended college in Berkeley for one year. In 1960 he transferred to Pepperdine in Los Angeles.

In the fall of 1959, he met the love of his life, Lynette on a blind date in San Francisco. They attended Pepperdine together for a year and a half before getting married on July 7, 1961.

He began his career in Los Angeles with AAA Auto Club and then ITT International in subsidiary sales. The family was transferred to Seattle, Washington in 1967. Reagan remained with ITT until 1982. A lifelong lover of automobiles, Regan opened his own business in 1982, when he started Puget sound Tire & Automotive in Issaquah, Washington. His business partner was his great friend Sid Seitz and together they ran the business until 1992.

Not only did Reagan love automobiles, but also most anything with wheels and a motor! He rode motorcycles with a men’s group from the Bellevue church and his family, enjoyed electric trains, snow skiing and had a fervent love of all things Coca-Cola. He has quite the collection of Coke memorabilia that his family continues to enjoy. He also loved music.

Reagan was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. Attending congregations in Louisiana, Oregon, California, Arkansas, Washington, and Texas. In his young married years, he served as a bible class teacher at the Inglewood Church of Christ in California. It was at the Bellevue Church of Christ where he served as a deacon, bible class teacher, and life group leader for over 25 years and as an Elder for 10 years. During his time at the Bellevue church, he served as the construction coordinator for the new building project. This led to him assisting with the building of two additional churches in the Seattle area. Upon moving to Dallas, he attended Prestoncrest Church of Christ. He loved the Lord and his family faithfully.

In 1994, Reagan and Lynette relocated to Dallas to be close to their children and grandchildren. He spent his retirement years enjoying teaching his grandchildren to love automobiles, trains, and Coca-Cola. He loved attending his grandkids sporting events.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Lynette; daughters Andrea (Larry) Galbraith of Dallas; Danelle (Eddie) Holt of Plano; a sister Denise Dean and niece Sarah Dean of Armona, California. Grandchildren: Lauren Galbraith; Timothy (D’Ann) Holt; Nicholas (Molly) Galbraith and Jonathan Holt; one great granddaughter, Everly Holt and many close relatives and friends.

Reagan gained his eternal reward after a long illness from congestive heart failure on November 11, 2023. We are thankful for the wonderful care provided by his doctors, Dr. Mitch Huebner, and Dr. Kyle Carter for many years of care and to Vitas Hospice and his kind nurse Taresa Haynes.

Memorial donations may be made in Reagan’s memory to the American Heart Association or Arms of Hope.