V. Dean Yount passed away on February 18, 2013 at age 85 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Dean was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.
Dean was born in Liberal, Missouri on November 18, 1927, the 9th of 12 children.
Dean attended Golden City High School but left after one year to help contribute to the family income.
In 1946 Dean met his beloved wife, Russellen "Rusty" Payne when she travelled from Santa Fé to Nebraska to visit her family there. The following year Dean came to Santa Fé from Nebraska to take Rusty, a junior in high school, to the prom. It is said that Dean "forgot to go home." Dean and Rusty married on July 1, 1949, one month after Rusty graduated from high school. Dean and Rusty made their home in Santa Fé where they raised four children and enjoyed the company of their many friends.
In 1960 Dean went to work for Allstate Insurance, his name becoming synonymous with Allstate throughout Northern New Mexico. Dean spent his career serving thousands of customers until he retired in 1989. Dean worked side-by-side with his two sons for the last several years before he retired.
Dean and Rusty were active in square dancing where Dean was a square dance "caller." They also enjoyed boating, RVing and Dean was an avid golfer with two holes-in-one to his credit. Dean served as a community volunteer in the New Mexico Mounted Patrol, the Rodeo Association and Service to Mankind (SERTOMA) and coached the Jimmy's and Tiny's Lounge City League softball team for many years.
In 2002 Dean and Rusty moved to Carthage, Missouri where they lived nine years before returning to Santa Fé in 2011.
Dean was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Sarah Yount, his brothers, Rollo, Jerry and Walter "Kyle" Yount, his sisters: Cleo Tiller, Mary Watchhorn and Georgia Steel and his grandson, Sean Lawshe.
Dean is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rusty, his daughters, Valerie Lawshe (Eddie) and Deborah Martínez (Horace), his sons, David Yount (Carole Jaramillo) and Thomas Yount (Wendy). Dean is also survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer Jones, Jeffery Lawshe (Carrie), Eric Lawshe (Rachel), Joshua Yount (Lula Wilson), Linda Gallegos (Michael), and Grace, Hope, Joy and Glory Yount, great-grandchildren, Sarah and Dominick Jones, Isaac and Andrew Gallegos and Maris Lawshe, brothers, Morris Yount, Dale Yount and Calvin "Bill" Yount, sisters, Mina Payne Williams and Bonnie Rhea, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dean will be missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of Dean's life will be held at City of Faith Christian Fellowship, 1601 St. Michaels Drive, Suite C in Santa Fé, on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation can be made to the Santa Fé Animal Shelter.