Dean Neff

Dean was born July 9,1935, in, Laverne Oklahoma, the son of Emery and Noma Neff. Dean graduated from Phillips High School in 1954, then went on to Bethany Nazarene College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in Education from Denver University.

Dean married Vera Ruth Winter on December 20, 1958. Officiated by Rev. Amos Meador and Rev J.T. Gassett. Sixty-six years of marriage gave them two children, six grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Dean and Vera moved to Colorado in 1959 because he was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Carson. After he was discharged, he and Vera only moved four times during their marriage, to San Antonio, Texas back to Colorado Springs and then to their home that they lived in until 2025.

Dean Neff worked over 30 years teaching middle and elementary vocal music at three different Schools in Colorado Springs School District 11. He decided to retire from teaching in 1990 and go into volunteer work at the Junior League Bargain Box. Dean was avidly involved with Nana’s Nook Children’s boutique in Cripple Creek for almost forty years. He served on the boards of Voice of the Truth and Northwest Nazarene University for several years.

He also loved playing golf and softball with friends. He was elected to the Softball Hall of Fame in 2010 and the All-American Senior softball team in 2005. Along with these activities he loved the outdoors, gardening, drawing, reading the Bible and being with people. Even with the major changes of the last two years to Mackenzie Place, managing health conditions, Dean always had time and a smile for everyone he met.

Dean and his wife served and were members for over twenty-five years as music ministers at Colorado Springs First Church of the Nazarene.

Dean Neff is survived by his two children: Dena Ruth Owens and Toby Dean Neff (Tanya), grandchildren: Emily (Ross) Rethmeier, Taylor (Anna) Owens, Cole (Ariel) Owens, Preston (Lindsey) Owens, Aubrey Neff and Neely Neff and great-grandchildren: Blakely, Quade, Campbell, and Fallon Rethmeier, Henry, Adler, Abel and Hayden Owens, Isla, Imogen, Jack, Augustine, Preston and Iris Owens. And Emery Owens. Sister/Brother-in-law: Anita (John) Uphaus and several loved nieces and nephews.

Dean Neff was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Ruth, his parents Emery and Noma Neff. Sibling; Karon Kaye (David) Isom and to many dearly loved family members that left us too soon.

Visitation will be held for family and friends at 4:00 p.m. on September 3, 2026, at Swan-Law Funeral Home. And a Celebration of Life service and Reception will be at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. all on, September 4th, 2026, at Springs First Church in Colorado Springs, CO.

Memorial donations in Dean’s name can be directed to Voice of the Truth, PO Box 15013, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.