Murl Dean Obituary (1958

MURL W. DEAN 1958 - 2017 Once in a lifetime God blesses you with an amazing husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, friend...an all-around one hell of a man. On January 30, 2017, after a 3-year courageous battle with Angioimmunoblastic Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma and stem cell rejection, Murl W. Dean passed peacefully into the arms of his loving father with his wife and daughters by his side. Murl was born on February 18, 1958 to Helen Samuelson. He grew up in Yakima, Washington and attended Selah schools, later graduating from West Valley High School. He spent his younger years working for Bob Meyers Chevron, took on a 13-year career with Firestone and spent the last 23 years of his working career as a driver for Oak Harbor Freight Lines until his cancer forced him to retire in 2014. Murl met the love of his life, Connie Storey, in 1980 and on March 19, 1982 they were married. During their 35 years of marriage they welcomed two daughters, were blessed with five grandchildren, made numerous lifelong friends that became family and made Draggonass Ranch a home. Murl enjoyed traveling, hosting bon fires, daily (sometimes twice a day) trips to Cabela's, loved the outdoors; camping, hunting, fishing, jeeping, boating, horseback riding, target shooting and white water rafting were just some of his favorites. But his love for his family, people, Lake Roosevelt and his boat "My Duck" were even greater. He believed that kids should be kids and his world revolved around his grandkids. He was always eager to teach them to shoot a gun, ride a bike, bait a hook, saddle a horse, drive the boats, haul hay, mow the yard, water ski, drive a tractor, but most importantly, that hard works pays off. Murl is lovingly survived by his wife of 35 years, Connie, daughters Heather Wilson (Billy) and Lindsey Dean of Yakima, five grandchildren; Logan (Yari) and Hayden of Yakima, Gracie, Gunnar and Angel of Yakima, mother Helen Davis of Yakima, sister Marcia (Rick) Galloway of Phoenix, AZ, brother Mark (Diane) Dean of Yakima, Mike Dean of Yakima, Father-In-Law Vernon Storey and Verna Herzog of Yakima, Sister in law Bonnie (Tom) Wright of Moxee WA, sister in law Tami Sparks of Zillah, WA, sister in law Sherri Toop of Bellingham, WA, brother in law Ken Storey of Turkey Creek Colorado, Brother-in-law Brian Sparks of Yakima, WA, 21 nieces and nephews, his very special niece Tami Hembree of Missoula, MT, his Lake Roosevelt family and many many lifelong friends. Murl was proceeded in death by his Grandparents Axel and Lillian Samuelson, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Robert Bishop, Mother-in-law Betty Storey, half-brother Guy Hembree and Step-Father Glenn Davis. Murl fought his disease head on and with more strength and bravery than any other. Even when all the odds were against him, he never gave up and never once complained. He would greet you with a smile and when asked how he was feeling, his answer was always being "Vertical and breathing"...even on his worst day. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire staff at The Cottage in The Meadow for making his last days as comfortable and happy as possible, the Memorial Hospice staff, all the staff at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, UWMC, Northstar Lodge and the Yakima Regional Heart Center, A very special thank you to our family, friends and Dr. Nicola Bocek for their love and support. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 3, 2017 1 - 5 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect, Moxee. A Celebration of his Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. also at Brookside Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for continued research on Peripheral Stem Cell Lymphoma or Cottage in the Meadow, in care of Brookside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1267, Moxee, WA. 98936. SERVICES Funeral service Saturday, February 04, 2017 2:00 PM Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory 500 W Prospect Moxee,