Dean Franklin Klarr Jr., age 87, of Salem Oregon passed away om Monday, June 24, 2024. Dean was born September 24, 1936, in Evanston, Illinois to Dean Franklin Klarr Sr. and Ruth Verle (Kinne) Klarr. Dean is the oldest of four children.
In 1944 the Klarr family moved to Corvallis, Oregon. Seven years later the Klarr family moved to Salem. Dean graduated from Salem High School. It was the last year as the only high school in Salem. Dean started at Oregon State University with an engineering focus. After one year, his best friend persuaded him to join him in the studies of Christian ministry. Dean then transferred and graduated with his bachelor’s degree at Willamette University.
Dean met his love and, soon his wife, Nancy Ann Pybas, while she was working at the Blue Line Diner which was owned by her sister and brother in-law in Salem. Their first kiss was at Waters Field, home of Salem’s baseball team, located at the corner Mission and 25th Street. They married on November 27, 1958.
Dean and Nancy welcomed their first child, Timothy aka Tim, and, shortly after, the family moved to San Anselmo, California. There Dean completed his B.D Degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary and became licensed to the Gospel Ministry by the Presbytery of Willamette.
Dean, Nancy and Tim moved to Azusa, California where Dean was appointed to the Assistant Pastor position at First Presbyterian Church in Azusa. The Klarr family grew with the addition of a daughter, Patricia aka Patti, in 1962.
In 1969 unforeseen circumstances caused the church to discontinue Dean’s position. Dean still wanted to support the community. An opportunity to represent the community by running for the position of City Clerk of Azusa. The election results were a landslide for Dean. Dean also joined the Civitan organization where his community outreach continued.
In 1974 the family moved back to Salem. Dean was hired as the Supervisor of Elections for Marion County. Dean’s ministry service was only part-time until 1980 he was asked to be the pastor at Knight Memorial Congregational Church. Dean served for 15 years until he retired in 1995. He loved the connection to families through celebrations of baptisms, weddings and funerals and especially Christmas eve services. He volunteered as a chaplain for the Salem Hospital. After he retired from Knight Memorial Church, Dean worked for a short time with a good friend at Daitron in Wilsonville before retiring completely.
Dean and Nancy retired to Paradise Island Park where he supported Nancy in organizing social events and made many more friends.
Dean looked forward to his daily newspaper crossword puzzles which he amazingly completed in pen. He loved caring for his many rabbits and dogs over the years. One of many highlights was being a cast member in West Side Story at the Pentacle theater. He enjoyed writing and sending Christmas letters to friends and family. He truly loved having in-depth conversations with friends and acquaintances. Dean made many friends during his life and loved spending time listening and helping others. He Loved All.
Dean was preceded by in death by his parents and brother Phil Klarr. Survivors; Sisters: Carolyn Worthington & family and Susan Carnahan & family, Phil Klarr’s family and Son Timothy David Klarr & wife Deely F. Klarr, Daughter Patricia Diane Hyatt and grandchildren, Tiffany Marie Mathews, Tara Lynn Klarr, Tyler David Klarr, Dane Randall Hyatt, and Madison Diane Hyatt and great grandchildren Gwyneth “Rezi” Galvan, June Detouche Mathews, and Lincoln James Klarr
The family would like to thank all the family and friends who loved and supported him, especially after Nancy’s passing in 2022. A big thank you to the caring staff of Sweet Bye n Bye Coral Springs and The Springs at Lancaster, Salem Health Team and Serenity Hospice.
Dean will be laid to rest in Belcrest Memorial Park, 1295 Browning Avenue South, Salem next to his loving wife, Nancy.
