As a child Vera enjoyed riding bikes, roller skating and playing ball. She also made many trips down route 66 with her family back to Oklahoma for long summer visits.
Vera attended Laton schools until she "quituated" after the 10th grade. She fell in love with her first and only boyfriend Dave as a freshman in high school. She liked his good looks and nice 1956 Chevy with the tuck and roll seats.
They had 3 boys, David, Paul and Garry and were married for 56 years until Dave's passing in 2015.
Vera and Dave started from nothing driving a manure truck and working in the fields.
Vera most enjoyed her job as a school bus driver for Laton Unified for many years driving kids from kindergarten all the way through high school and taking the seniors on trips to Catalina Island. She also loved her role as the girls’ softball coach in Laton for years and was very competitive and successful. Another passion of Vera's was bowling with her husband and also on many women's leagues through the years.
She also enjoyed traveling and RV’ing with her husband. They even drove for Paul Everts taking trailers and motor homes to Louisiana to help those who had lost their homes due to hurricane Katrina.
Vera's greatest title in life was mother, grandmother, and eventually great-grandmother. She also became a second mother and mentor to many students, players, and friends of her sons.
Vera Dean had a "what you see is what you get" attitude and lived life on her terms. She impacted every life she touched and never met a stranger.
Vera passed away with family and friends by her side on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in Laton at the age of 76. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Earleen Glory and Wanda Medico as well as her brother Louis Henry Hall Jr. She is also preceded in death by two sons; David and Paul and her husband Dave.
She leaves behind her son Garry, his wife LeAnn as well as 4 grandchildren, Blaine Betts, Spencer Betts, Tessa Prince and her husband Jethro, and Taylor Vanderpool and her husband Shane. Vera also leaves her 4 great-grandsons, Sawyer and Lane Vanderpool of Laton, Mason Berner Betts of Fresno and Brayton Prince of Santa Maria, CA.
Vera will also be missed very much by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many great friends.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 27th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at People's Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA. Graveside Service will be on Friday, December 28th at 12:30 pm at Oak Grove Cemetery; 19811 S. Cedar Ave., Laton, CA with a luncheon following at the Laton Lions Club Hall; 6345 Nares Ave., Laton, CA 93242.
Donations in Vera’s name may be made to St. Jude's or the American Heart Association.
Family and Friends are invited to view Vera’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.
Services by People’s Funeral Chapel 584-5591.
