John Christopher Dean of Newport, Arkansas departed this life on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the age of 70. He was born May 21, 1952, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of Bernard Bernett and Shelia (Weber) Dean.
He was a graduate of Catholic High School in Little Rock and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Texas A&M. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam. Mr. Dean worked for the Arkansas Department of Corrections for 18 years, as a Mental Health Consort.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport.
He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting. He liked playing cards, board games, and making candy, especially fudge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ida (Shoffner) Dean; and his parents.
He is survived by two daughters, Shelia Marie Dean of Houston, Texas, and Cindy East of Little Rock; one son, Chris East of Little Rock; three grandchildren, Alexandria Laxton, Dominic Laxton, both of Lufkin, Texas, and Aiyla East of Little Rock; two brothers, Richard and Robert Dean, both of Little Rock; one sister, Diane Degarmo of Little Rock; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
The family will announce memorial services at a later date.
