Dean Dennis Ramsey, age 80, passed away May 17, 2018 at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, Washington. He was born April 17, 1938 in Parkview, New Mexico to T. J. and Olus Ramsey. He lived in Espanola, New Mexico and attended McCurdy Christian Schools. Dean was involved in plays, music, track, became an Eagle Scout and graduated in 1957 as Salutatorian.

During summer breaks, Dean worked with his uncles, farming in Kansas and house construction in California. He also worked for his shop teacher in construction and was a dude wrangler at Lobo Lodge, New Mexico.

Dean attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa for two years and transferred to New Mexico State University where he met Dianne, whom he married in November, 1960. Soon after, Dean was drafted into the Army and served two years, of which 13 months were in Korea. His son, Dave was born during this time.

Following the Army tour, Dean worked in a plastics factory in Salinas, California. Then the family moved to Renton, Washington where their daughter, Dawn was born. Dean worked in a plastics factory there, but his strong desire was to homestead in Alaska. So the family pulled their 35 foot house trailer there in June, 1967. But when realizing what life in Alaska would be like, they drove back to Washington State and promptly began looking for property and bought a 100 acre farm in Concrete that same year.

They moved to the farm in 1973 and living there was like homesteading, for initially there was no electricity or running water. It took several years to modernize their home and out buildings.
Dean was a part-time janitor at the Concrete school, tending farm equipment, animals, installing a water system and heating unit and constantly improving their place. Dean eventually became the Concrete schools maintenance supervisor before retiring in 2000. At that time, he and Dianne had sold their farm and purchased a home in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Once again, Dean became very creative and built backyard pools, re-landscaped the yards and created a “jungle room” complete with a koi pond. He continued enjoying various hobbies, and photography came alive with the digital camera and computers. On one of their European trips, he took over 8,000 photos.

Life in Mount Vernon was very pleasurable and easy compared to the farm.
No services will be held at his request, but a gathering will be held at a later date. Share your memories of Dean and sign the online guest register.