Don Dean

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Donald L. Dean, 93, of Parsons, died at 8:54 a.m., Thursday, February 6, 2020 in the emergency room of Labette Health.

He was born June 17, 1926, at rural Parsons, to Ruthford and Cora (Beasley) Dean. He grew up in the rural Parsons area and graduated from Parsons High School in 1944. He enlisted in the United States Navy and attended Officer Training School at Washburn University in Topeka. Toward the end of World War 11 he served in the Phillipine Islands.

On February 24, 1945 he and Nola J. Copeland were married in Parsons. She preceded him in death on April 12, 2004.

Early in his adult life he worked four years for the Railway Express Agency and for a short time for Hallmark Cards. The family lived in Miami, Oklahoma from 1947 to 1953 and again from 1958 to 1966 and in Cushing, Oklahoma from 1953 to 1958. Don was district manager for Beatrice Foods and in 1966 decided to return to Parsons to farm and operate a dairy. He continued to farm until 2014. For many years he raised quail and border collies.

On August 1, 2005 he and Bertha “Bert” Sparks were married at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She survives of the home.

Don was a member of the First Christian Church and had served as a deacon. While living in Oklahoma he was active in several service clubs.

Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters, Terri Clarke (Jerry) of Carthage, MO and Sherri Auvigne (Dick) of Parsons; two step-sons, Steven Sparks (Cindy) of Tampa, FL and Michael Sparks (Elizabeth) of San Antonio, TX and a step-daughter, Patti Jarman (Ken) of Welch, OK; five grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and between Don and Bert they have 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, Richard Dale Dean of Parsons and his sister, Ruth Harris of Springfield, MO.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at the First Christian Church with Rev. Laurie Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church or the Proud Animal Lovers Society (PALS). They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.