Lowell Dean Essex

Lowell “Dean” Essex, 80, died Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at Littleton Adventist Hospital from complications related to his vascular dementia. Dean was able to spend his time with family prior to his death, and died peacefully in his sleep.

He leaves his children, Linda Ann Turman and husband Tracy of Jacksonville, N.C., Lowell Dean Essex Jr. and wife Shannon of Fayetteville, AR, Howard Westley Essex and wife Sheryl of Kalispell, MT, Laura Marie McWee and husband Cary of Thornton, CO, Sharon Elizabeth Campbell and husband Walter of Northglenn, CO, Cathy Lynn Specht and husband Evan of Highlands Ranch, CO, Patricia Kay Essex and husband Scott of Denver, CO, and Julie Gwenn Pearson and husband Gene of Broomfield, CO, Thirty-six grandchildren, Fifty-five great grandchildren, and One great -great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his spouse, Pataricia Ann White Essex; his son, William Harold Essex; his parents, Elmer Wesley and Helena Estelle Lore Essex; his brother, Paul Wesley Essex; his sister, Norma Hargis, and 6 grandchildren.

Born in Clyde Park, Montana on March 11,1935. They soon moved to Alliance, Nebraska and he was raised as a rancher. He has many stories of life on the ranch with his horses, Gypsy Rose and Sparkle. Dean joined the Navy at 18 and traveled to Korea during the Korean war. He relocated to Denver, Colorado when he met his wife Pataricia White. He worked at the church and as a Facilities manager at Park Manor until he reinjured his back. During that time he directed the music at Adams City Baptist Church. After Pataricia passed away, he sold the house and moved back to Nebraska, and then on to Montana, where he lived on a ranch and enjoyed the cattle and horses once again. He soon moved back to the town he was born in, Clyde Park, to share time with his sister. He played for anyone who would love to hear the fiddle. He was paid for photos of himself playing the fiddle as he was very well known in those parts of the country. He made many friends in Montana and is loved and missed in Montana and Nebraska as much as he is in Colorado. He was loved by all that met him and knew him.

Dean was long known for his love for music and his mastery of the Fiddle and any musical instrument that he decided to pick up and play. He played at many Montana and Nebraska dances and fiddle festivals later in life, but played with family and friends from the time he was a young man to the day he could no longer play. Dean had music in his soul, and passed the love of music to many generations of family, and everyone else he met or befriended. He had been given the gift of music from God and shared it with anyone who would play along.

Dean loved the outdoors and traveling. It was in his blood. There was nothing like a ride to get him happy and at peace. He and his motorhome traveled the country, camping with family and friends, and alone, he didn’t care. He loved the freedom of the road. He enjoyed hunting with his brother and nephews, making great memories and friendships to remember forever.

He was always the Cowboy and told us often, later in life, that he would just do it like the cowboys did it. He wrote cowboy poetry and would perform it when he read it, sometimes crying because they were his deepest thoughts and feelings. That is how he lived his last years. His family members became his friends later in life. He will be missed greatly as a Dad, an Uncle, a cousin, and a friend to many, including all the people in the cars who he waved at every day.

He was our Cowboy. Respected and Loved. He is one of the last of the Pioneers.

We love you.

A graveside memorial is scheduled for April 28th, 2015 at 11am, at Olinger East Lawn. Olinger Hampden has his Memorial on their site. We will be sharing memories and singing in remembrance. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dean’s life.