Obituary
Dean Richard Hirst (79) passed away at his home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in the afternoon hours of April 18, 2022 after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Dean and his wife of 16 years, Sandra D Wetherell Hirst, had been residents of Chapel Hill, Tennessee for a short time after a recent move from Bakersfield, California.
Dean is survived by his wife and three adult children: Lisa (Kevin) Marshall, Suzanne (Jeremy) Ranck, Brian (Julie) Hirst, and their mother, Marilee Knudsen. He is survived by two of Marilee's cousins, whom they took in and raised at the ages of 12 and 10, Amy Ruth Robertson and Kelley Sue Robertson. He is also survived by his sister Donna (George) Thomas and two adult nieces. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, along with many, many friends.
Dean was born to Bertha M Broderson Wetherell and Edward D Hirst on June 25, 1942, in Riverside, New Jersey. His sister, Donna, made her debut on-scene a short six years later. As an infant, Dean lost his father who was classified as MIA in the South Pacific during WWII. His mother passed away on New Years Eve, 2002, at the age of 84.
Dean's childhood was spent living in many places due to his step-father, William J Wetherell's naval career. He called New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Cuba home. Dean graduated from high school at WT Sampson High School in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Dean joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1960 serving as a submariner aboard the USS Permit in the Pacific. After discharge from the USN in 1966 he drove a school bus for the Napa Valley Unified School District.
On December 2, 1968, Dean entered the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. After graduation in April of 1969, he was assigned to the CHP West Los Angeles (WLA) Area. While working in the WLA area, he met and married Marilee J Granger on November 23, 1969. He later worked in West Valley, Ventura, Barstow and, finally, Morongo Basin (Joshua Tree).
Dean earned his associates degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Moorpark College in 1974.
In 1989, Dean promoted to CHP Sergeant and worked in both Barstow and the Morongo Basin areas becoming very active in the Morongo Basin communities. With his traffic safety knowledge, he taught traffic violator classes at Copper Mountain College and drivers education at 29 Palms and Yucca Valley High Schools. He also worked closely with the US Marine Air Combat Center in 29 Palms on several traffic safety programs over the years.
Dean was President of the Joshua Tree Chapter 71 of the International Footprinters Association from 1995 thru 1998. In 1997, just prior to his CHP retirement, he was honored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce as the CHP Officer of the Year.
During Dean's 27 year tenure at the CHP, he was also active in the US Coast Guard (USCG) Reserves. He rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the USCG with 30 years of service.
In his later years, Dean was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and developed a love for genealogy, tracing his family ancestry back to Leeds, England in the 1600's. Dean spent endless hours contributing to genealogy media sites by visiting cemeteries across the country and logging grave stone plots aiding in priceless online genealogical data for people all over the world. Over 11 years, he logged over 28 thousand memorials in behalf of the general public.
Dean will be remembered by his friends and family as someone who went out of his way to help others. He could always be counted on. He valued hard work and was always active on some kind of project or task. Dean loved to laugh, to care for those around him, to adventure, and to do puzzles. He will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
There are no services planned. Dean will be buried in a National Veterans Cemetery at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Dean's honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.∼Fallen Graver.
Mr. Dean Hirst, age 79, of Chapel Hill, TN, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home following an illness. He was a native of Riverside, NJ and was the son of the late Edward Duke Hirst and Bertha Marie Broderson Hirst. Mr. Dean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was retired as an officer for the California Highway Patrol. Mr. Hirst served our country in the United States Navy and continued his service in the Coast Guard Reserves. Dean loved genealogy and using his cell phone for "technology", but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth James Peltier.
Mr. Hirst is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandy Hirst of Chapel Hill, TN; children, Beverly Ann Kelley of Red Bluff, CA, Lisa Christine Marshall of Corpus Christi, TX, Suzanne Elisabeth Ranck of Franklin, TN, Brian Dean Hirst of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister, Donna Thomas of Waynesville, NC; 14 grandchildren, Donnavan Kelley, Travis Kelley, Naommi Kelley, Kyle Marshall, Brooke Marshall, Danielle Ranck, Rachel Ranck, Michael Ranck, Emily Ranck, Lindy Matthews, Kacey Lynch, Kallie Lynch, Alexander Fluhr, Maxwell Hirst; 4 great grandchildren, Van Kelley, Fraeyia Kelley, Emily Matthews, and Joseph Matthews.
In accordance with Mr. Hirst's requests, there will be no public visitation or funeral service.
Lawrence Funeral Home
Dean Richard Hirst (79) passed away at his home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in the afternoon hours of April 18, 2022 after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Dean and his wife of 16 years, Sandra D Wetherell Hirst, had been residents of Chapel Hill, Tennessee for a short time after a recent move from Bakersfield, California.
Dean is survived by his wife and three adult children: Lisa (Kevin) Marshall, Suzanne (Jeremy) Ranck, Brian (Julie) Hirst, and their mother, Marilee Knudsen. He is survived by two of Marilee's cousins, whom they took in and raised at the ages of 12 and 10, Amy Ruth Robertson and Kelley Sue Robertson. He is also survived by his sister Donna (George) Thomas and two adult nieces. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, along with many, many friends.
Dean was born to Bertha M Broderson Wetherell and Edward D Hirst on June 25, 1942, in Riverside, New Jersey. His sister, Donna, made her debut on-scene a short six years later. As an infant, Dean lost his father who was classified as MIA in the South Pacific during WWII. His mother passed away on New Years Eve, 2002, at the age of 84.
Dean's childhood was spent living in many places due to his step-father, William J Wetherell's naval career. He called New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Cuba home. Dean graduated from high school at WT Sampson High School in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Dean joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1960 serving as a submariner aboard the USS Permit in the Pacific. After discharge from the USN in 1966 he drove a school bus for the Napa Valley Unified School District.
On December 2, 1968, Dean entered the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. After graduation in April of 1969, he was assigned to the CHP West Los Angeles (WLA) Area. While working in the WLA area, he met and married Marilee J Granger on November 23, 1969. He later worked in West Valley, Ventura, Barstow and, finally, Morongo Basin (Joshua Tree).
Dean earned his associates degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Moorpark College in 1974.
In 1989, Dean promoted to CHP Sergeant and worked in both Barstow and the Morongo Basin areas becoming very active in the Morongo Basin communities. With his traffic safety knowledge, he taught traffic violator classes at Copper Mountain College and drivers education at 29 Palms and Yucca Valley High Schools. He also worked closely with the US Marine Air Combat Center in 29 Palms on several traffic safety programs over the years.
Dean was President of the Joshua Tree Chapter 71 of the International Footprinters Association from 1995 thru 1998. In 1997, just prior to his CHP retirement, he was honored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce as the CHP Officer of the Year.
During Dean's 27 year tenure at the CHP, he was also active in the US Coast Guard (USCG) Reserves. He rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the USCG with 30 years of service.
In his later years, Dean was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and developed a love for genealogy, tracing his family ancestry back to Leeds, England in the 1600's. Dean spent endless hours contributing to genealogy media sites by visiting cemeteries across the country and logging grave stone plots aiding in priceless online genealogical data for people all over the world. Over 11 years, he logged over 28 thousand memorials in behalf of the general public.
Dean will be remembered by his friends and family as someone who went out of his way to help others. He could always be counted on. He valued hard work and was always active on some kind of project or task. Dean loved to laugh, to care for those around him, to adventure, and to do puzzles. He will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
There are no services planned. Dean will be buried in a National Veterans Cemetery at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Dean's honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.∼Fallen Graver.
Mr. Dean Hirst, age 79, of Chapel Hill, TN, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home following an illness. He was a native of Riverside, NJ and was the son of the late Edward Duke Hirst and Bertha Marie Broderson Hirst. Mr. Dean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was retired as an officer for the California Highway Patrol. Mr. Hirst served our country in the United States Navy and continued his service in the Coast Guard Reserves. Dean loved genealogy and using his cell phone for "technology", but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth James Peltier.
Mr. Hirst is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandy Hirst of Chapel Hill, TN; children, Beverly Ann Kelley of Red Bluff, CA, Lisa Christine Marshall of Corpus Christi, TX, Suzanne Elisabeth Ranck of Franklin, TN, Brian Dean Hirst of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister, Donna Thomas of Waynesville, NC; 14 grandchildren, Donnavan Kelley, Travis Kelley, Naommi Kelley, Kyle Marshall, Brooke Marshall, Danielle Ranck, Rachel Ranck, Michael Ranck, Emily Ranck, Lindy Matthews, Kacey Lynch, Kallie Lynch, Alexander Fluhr, Maxwell Hirst; 4 great grandchildren, Van Kelley, Fraeyia Kelley, Emily Matthews, and Joseph Matthews.
In accordance with Mr. Hirst's requests, there will be no public visitation or funeral service.
Lawrence Funeral Home
Obituary
Dean Richard Hirst (79) passed away at his home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in the afternoon hours of April 18, 2022 after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Dean and his wife of 16 years, Sandra D Wetherell Hirst, had been residents of Chapel Hill, Tennessee for a short time after a recent move from Bakersfield, California.
Dean is survived by his wife and three adult children: Lisa (Kevin) Marshall, Suzanne (Jeremy) Ranck, Brian (Julie) Hirst, and their mother, Marilee Knudsen. He is survived by two of Marilee's cousins, whom they took in and raised at the ages of 12 and 10, Amy Ruth Robertson and Kelley Sue Robertson. He is also survived by his sister Donna (George) Thomas and two adult nieces. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, along with many, many friends.
Dean was born to Bertha M Broderson Wetherell and Edward D Hirst on June 25, 1942, in Riverside, New Jersey. His sister, Donna, made her debut on-scene a short six years later. As an infant, Dean lost his father who was classified as MIA in the South Pacific during WWII. His mother passed away on New Years Eve, 2002, at the age of 84.
Dean's childhood was spent living in many places due to his step-father, William J Wetherell's naval career. He called New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Cuba home. Dean graduated from high school at WT Sampson High School in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Dean joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1960 serving as a submariner aboard the USS Permit in the Pacific. After discharge from the USN in 1966 he drove a school bus for the Napa Valley Unified School District.
On December 2, 1968, Dean entered the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. After graduation in April of 1969, he was assigned to the CHP West Los Angeles (WLA) Area. While working in the WLA area, he met and married Marilee J Granger on November 23, 1969. He later worked in West Valley, Ventura, Barstow and, finally, Morongo Basin (Joshua Tree).
Dean earned his associates degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Moorpark College in 1974.
In 1989, Dean promoted to CHP Sergeant and worked in both Barstow and the Morongo Basin areas becoming very active in the Morongo Basin communities. With his traffic safety knowledge, he taught traffic violator classes at Copper Mountain College and drivers education at 29 Palms and Yucca Valley High Schools. He also worked closely with the US Marine Air Combat Center in 29 Palms on several traffic safety programs over the years.
Dean was President of the Joshua Tree Chapter 71 of the International Footprinters Association from 1995 thru 1998. In 1997, just prior to his CHP retirement, he was honored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce as the CHP Officer of the Year.
During Dean's 27 year tenure at the CHP, he was also active in the US Coast Guard (USCG) Reserves. He rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the USCG with 30 years of service.
In his later years, Dean was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and developed a love for genealogy, tracing his family ancestry back to Leeds, England in the 1600's. Dean spent endless hours contributing to genealogy media sites by visiting cemeteries across the country and logging grave stone plots aiding in priceless online genealogical data for people all over the world. Over 11 years, he logged over 28 thousand memorials in behalf of the general public.
Dean will be remembered by his friends and family as someone who went out of his way to help others. He could always be counted on. He valued hard work and was always active on some kind of project or task. Dean loved to laugh, to care for those around him, to adventure, and to do puzzles. He will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
There are no services planned. Dean will be buried in a National Veterans Cemetery at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Dean's honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.∼Fallen Graver.
Mr. Dean Hirst, age 79, of Chapel Hill, TN, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home following an illness. He was a native of Riverside, NJ and was the son of the late Edward Duke Hirst and Bertha Marie Broderson Hirst. Mr. Dean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was retired as an officer for the California Highway Patrol. Mr. Hirst served our country in the United States Navy and continued his service in the Coast Guard Reserves. Dean loved genealogy and using his cell phone for "technology", but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth James Peltier.
Mr. Hirst is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandy Hirst of Chapel Hill, TN; children, Beverly Ann Kelley of Red Bluff, CA, Lisa Christine Marshall of Corpus Christi, TX, Suzanne Elisabeth Ranck of Franklin, TN, Brian Dean Hirst of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister, Donna Thomas of Waynesville, NC; 14 grandchildren, Donnavan Kelley, Travis Kelley, Naommi Kelley, Kyle Marshall, Brooke Marshall, Danielle Ranck, Rachel Ranck, Michael Ranck, Emily Ranck, Lindy Matthews, Kacey Lynch, Kallie Lynch, Alexander Fluhr, Maxwell Hirst; 4 great grandchildren, Van Kelley, Fraeyia Kelley, Emily Matthews, and Joseph Matthews.
In accordance with Mr. Hirst's requests, there will be no public visitation or funeral service.
Lawrence Funeral Home
Dean Richard Hirst (79) passed away at his home in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in the afternoon hours of April 18, 2022 after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Dean and his wife of 16 years, Sandra D Wetherell Hirst, had been residents of Chapel Hill, Tennessee for a short time after a recent move from Bakersfield, California.
Dean is survived by his wife and three adult children: Lisa (Kevin) Marshall, Suzanne (Jeremy) Ranck, Brian (Julie) Hirst, and their mother, Marilee Knudsen. He is survived by two of Marilee's cousins, whom they took in and raised at the ages of 12 and 10, Amy Ruth Robertson and Kelley Sue Robertson. He is also survived by his sister Donna (George) Thomas and two adult nieces. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, along with many, many friends.
Dean was born to Bertha M Broderson Wetherell and Edward D Hirst on June 25, 1942, in Riverside, New Jersey. His sister, Donna, made her debut on-scene a short six years later. As an infant, Dean lost his father who was classified as MIA in the South Pacific during WWII. His mother passed away on New Years Eve, 2002, at the age of 84.
Dean's childhood was spent living in many places due to his step-father, William J Wetherell's naval career. He called New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Cuba home. Dean graduated from high school at WT Sampson High School in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Dean joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1960 serving as a submariner aboard the USS Permit in the Pacific. After discharge from the USN in 1966 he drove a school bus for the Napa Valley Unified School District.
On December 2, 1968, Dean entered the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. After graduation in April of 1969, he was assigned to the CHP West Los Angeles (WLA) Area. While working in the WLA area, he met and married Marilee J Granger on November 23, 1969. He later worked in West Valley, Ventura, Barstow and, finally, Morongo Basin (Joshua Tree).
Dean earned his associates degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Moorpark College in 1974.
In 1989, Dean promoted to CHP Sergeant and worked in both Barstow and the Morongo Basin areas becoming very active in the Morongo Basin communities. With his traffic safety knowledge, he taught traffic violator classes at Copper Mountain College and drivers education at 29 Palms and Yucca Valley High Schools. He also worked closely with the US Marine Air Combat Center in 29 Palms on several traffic safety programs over the years.
Dean was President of the Joshua Tree Chapter 71 of the International Footprinters Association from 1995 thru 1998. In 1997, just prior to his CHP retirement, he was honored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce as the CHP Officer of the Year.
During Dean's 27 year tenure at the CHP, he was also active in the US Coast Guard (USCG) Reserves. He rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the USCG with 30 years of service.
In his later years, Dean was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and developed a love for genealogy, tracing his family ancestry back to Leeds, England in the 1600's. Dean spent endless hours contributing to genealogy media sites by visiting cemeteries across the country and logging grave stone plots aiding in priceless online genealogical data for people all over the world. Over 11 years, he logged over 28 thousand memorials in behalf of the general public.
Dean will be remembered by his friends and family as someone who went out of his way to help others. He could always be counted on. He valued hard work and was always active on some kind of project or task. Dean loved to laugh, to care for those around him, to adventure, and to do puzzles. He will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
There are no services planned. Dean will be buried in a National Veterans Cemetery at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Dean's honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.∼Fallen Graver.
Mr. Dean Hirst, age 79, of Chapel Hill, TN, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home following an illness. He was a native of Riverside, NJ and was the son of the late Edward Duke Hirst and Bertha Marie Broderson Hirst. Mr. Dean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was retired as an officer for the California Highway Patrol. Mr. Hirst served our country in the United States Navy and continued his service in the Coast Guard Reserves. Dean loved genealogy and using his cell phone for "technology", but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth James Peltier.
Mr. Hirst is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandy Hirst of Chapel Hill, TN; children, Beverly Ann Kelley of Red Bluff, CA, Lisa Christine Marshall of Corpus Christi, TX, Suzanne Elisabeth Ranck of Franklin, TN, Brian Dean Hirst of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister, Donna Thomas of Waynesville, NC; 14 grandchildren, Donnavan Kelley, Travis Kelley, Naommi Kelley, Kyle Marshall, Brooke Marshall, Danielle Ranck, Rachel Ranck, Michael Ranck, Emily Ranck, Lindy Matthews, Kacey Lynch, Kallie Lynch, Alexander Fluhr, Maxwell Hirst; 4 great grandchildren, Van Kelley, Fraeyia Kelley, Emily Matthews, and Joseph Matthews.
In accordance with Mr. Hirst's requests, there will be no public visitation or funeral service.
Lawrence Funeral Home
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