Dean Clawson

CLAWSON, Dean Lee, age 86, went to be with Jesus on December 5, 2018. Dear husband for 61 years of Mary (nee Kruse) Clawson; loving father of Donna (Richard) McDaniel and John (Dana) Clawson; dear grandfather of Curt (Michelle) Hemphill, Nathan (Ryann) Hemphill and Luke Clawson; great grandfather of Hannah, Maggie, Audrey, Evelyn, and Myles; dear brother of Maurice Allen (Leila) Clawson.

Dean will always be known by his family as the 3 1/2 year old child that refused to turn 4, full of fun and laughter and yet was one of the hardest working men you would ever find. Late in his senior year of high school, Dean joined the National Guard and was called to duty during the Korean War, though he remained stateside during his service to his country. He was stationed at Edwards AFB-CA where his primary job was to guide planes into a temporary staging area. During his days off, he would dig swimming pools. After the service, he returned home to work in the family boat sales and service business as a mechanic until it closed. From there, he worked for other companies as a mechanic, ensuring that the equipment was functioning properly. At the core, Dean was a "nuts & bolts" mechanic.

In 1997, Dean joined the Core of Discovery Expedition of St. Charles. He became the lead boat builder producing replicas of the keel boat and two pirogues based on the original plans secured from the Smithsonian. Dean was a French voyager in the re-enactment of the Lewis and Clark 2003-2006 Bicentennial Expedition from Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean. Dean traveled every river mile to Mandan, North Dakota, performing as one of the captains and maintained the boats. Dean lived his life giving to his family, church, and his fellow man with "Undaunted Courage".

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11am, at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 15642 Clayton Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011 with a one hour visitation from 10 to 11am. Dean donated his body to St. Louis University Medical School. Memorial Gifts in Dean's memory are suggested to St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church or to Mercy Hospice.

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