Terry Dean

(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)

Terry Eugene Dean, known by many as Crazy Chicken, 76, died peacefully in Cox Hospital on April 26th, 2023 with his family by his side after suffering a stroke. He was born on November 25th, 1946 in Springfield, Missouri to William E. and Alberta K. (Gilliam) Dean.

Terry was the first graduating class from Glendale High School in 1964. He then attended Southwest Missouri State University and Drury University while starting his building career. 

When taking a break from school he was drafted to the US Army, serving his country in Vietnam. Even though the homecoming wasn’t positive for Vietnam veterans and he rarely spoke of his experience, he was always very proud of his service. 

When he returned from Vietnam, he continued building houses and then became involved in developing subdivisions in the Springfield area, such as Lakewood Hills, Sunburst Hills, Mission Hills, Cherokee Hills (also known as Greystone), Royal Oaks, Woodfield, and numerous other development projects. Terry also dabbled in building and owning hotels with this his cousin Gary Lambeth in Springfield, Joplin, and Tulsa. 

During this time he got his real estate license because he was passionate about helping clients and friends with houses and land. He was most recently associated with Murney Associates. 

In 1975 Terry met Eva Chapo the love of his life, in Springfield. They got married in 1981 on a very memorable trip to Las Vegas with friends and family. Anyone who knows Terry knows that he has a love for the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, golf, exotic cars, and good food. While all of those passions remained, in 1986 Terry received the first of his next two great obsessions, his daughter Morgan. He loved her more than words could describe and gave her everything she wanted. In 1994 he was surprised with his second great obsession, his son Dallas. He was beyond elated to have a son and someone to share in his passions of sports, cars, and food.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his aunt Imogene and husband Clyde Codwen; aunt Bonnie Dean; aunt Dorris and husband Paul Bender; aunt Velmalou and husband Chuck Wright; his father-in-law Joseph Chapo Senior; brother-in-law Joe Chapo; his niece Stacy Zavradinos; cousins and business partners Gary Lambeth and Jim Lambeth; and numerous good friends. 

He is survived by his wife, Eva (Chapo) Dean, his daughter Morgan (Dean) Habermehl and husband Joel along with granddogs Millie and Martin of Plano, TX; his son Dallas Dean of Springfield, MO; mother-in-law Anna Chapo; sister-in-laws Anna (Toots) Zavradinos and Marty Chapo; brother-in-law Paul Chapo and wife Chrissy; nieces Nikki Zavradinos, Grace Chapo, and newly found niece Rachel Jenkins; nephews Brian Koch, Nicholas Chapo, Tommy Chapo, and Michael Chapo; great-nephews Kane and Stephen Zavradinos who he loved talking about fast cars with; cousins Jenny Fields, Nanette Johnston, Tammy Carter, and Tina Cowden; and so many good friends we would have to write a book to mention them all here.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 2nd at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road, Springfield, MO 65804. After the service, we will be celebrating his life at Metropolitan Grill, 2931 E. Battlefield Rd, Springfield, MO 65809

We would also like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and support staff at Cox South Hospital.

As many know, Terry was a huge animal lover (specifically dogs). He loved and misses Dilly, Gus, Buddy, and Charlie so much. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rescue One (https://rescueonespringfield.com/ways-to-donate/) or Save Rocky the Great Dane Rescue and Rehab (https://saverockythegreatdane.org/donate). If you chose to do this, please make the note “In memory of Terry Dean.”