Ernest Sanford Dean Jr.

Reverend Ernest S. Dean, Jr. was born November 30, 1932 in Statesville, North Carolina to Ernest Sanford Dean and Ruth Daniels Dean. At an early age, his parents divorced which led to he and his mother moving first to Norfolk, Virginia, and Miami, Florida, ultimately settling in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ernest graduated from Hugh Morson High School in Raleigh in 1951 and then from North Carolina State University in 1955 with a BS in Education. While in college, participation in the Air Force ROTC was a treasured experience, leading to Ernest receiving the Distinguished AFROTC Cadet award.

Continuing his military success, Ernest, or “Ernie” as he preferred, entered active duty as a US Air Force Second Lieutenant in August of 1955; and immediately was accepted for flight training. He piloted C-124's, C-118's and C-130's while stationed in Missouri, Florida, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Texas, Panama Canal Zone, Tennessee, North Carolina, Vietnam, Iowa and Alabama. Over the course of his career he served as aircraft commander, maintenance officer, commander of an AFROTC detachment, and on staff at Air University Headquarters; retiring after 20 years of duty at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col). During his career, Ernie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as multiple Air Medals for heroism in Vietnam, and received many other awards and citations for outstanding leadership and superior service to his country. Mid-career, Ernie earned a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling (1964) from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.

On July 16, 1955, before entering the US Air Force, Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Miss Shirley Ann Olds, in Raleigh, North Carolina. They have eight children, sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Their children are: Elizabeth (married to Charles McGrath), Andrew (married to Stephanie Moyer), Maria (married to Louis G. Riley), Peter (married to Jayoung Kang), Ana (married to Dean Podratz), Paul (married to Heather Hanson), Sarah Dean Cisewski, and John Dean (married to Tika Puji Lestari).

After retiring from active military duty in 1975, Ernie entered Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, graduating in 1978 and was immediately ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ at the Congregational Church of Austin. Together, Ernie and Shirley began a 25-year ministry career in central Texas, serving churches in Lockhart, Weimar, Seguin, Geronimo and Coupland. After settling in Austin, Ernie continued to be called to lead worship services, served as mentor to young pastors, and provided pastoral care to the Austin Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and the Military Order of World Wars. He also served as Brazos Association Minister from 2000 to 2004, directing the education of candidates studying to become lay licensed ministers. In addition to his ministerial life, Ernie continued his long-time commitment to Rotary through the North by Northeast Rotary Club of Austin, serving in leadership positions and supporting many service projects.

Especially precious to Ernie was his time with family. Always together, Ernie and Shirley enjoyed activities at church, Rotary, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, reading, outdoors, volunteering, and, of course, travel. He and Shirley frequently visited their children and grandchildren and along the way would stop to renew long-time friendships while making new ones. Ernie especially enjoyed, and often recalled, the five major road trips he and Shirley took through the vast American country he loved so much, exploring US National Parks and historical sites. And yes, he and Shirley read every road side plaque!

Ernie’s last years were spent within the community of retirees at Westminster Manor in Austin, again, making friends wherever and whenever he could. Despite the challenges of fighting the onslaught of Parkinson’s disease, he was always ready to lend a hand, a friendly smile and prayer for those in need. Although the long life of Lt. Col and Reverend Ernest S. Dean, Jr. was lived in two parts, first as a defender of freedom and then as a servant of God, the constant thread through his entire life was that he gave his best in every situation, was kind to those in need, and always sought to do the right thing for his family, for others, for his country and for his loving God. Rev. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his son Peter. A memorial service for Rev. Dean will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity or church of your choice.

A memorial service for Rev. Dean will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 3201 Windsor Rd.

Austin, TX 78703 at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9th with a reception immediately after.