Eugene C. Dean

EUGENE C. "JOCKO" DEAN Eugene C. "Jocko" Dean, age 80, of Marshall, died at Battle Creek Health Systems in Battle Creek on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. Jocko was born on April 6, 1926 in Battle Creek to Floyd and Charlotte (Chamberlain) Dean. He lived in the Battle Creek, Albion and Marshall area all of his life. He attended school in Albion and graduated from Albion High School at the age of 17 in 1943. After getting written permission from his mother, Jocko enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation to fight in WWII. He served in the South Pacific aboard USS LST 393. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to his parents home in Marshall. Soon after, his father announced "time to go to work!", and Jocko started doing masonary with his father Floyd. After serving his apprenticeship, he worked out of Bricklayers Local #9 for many years. He had worked for Eisenhauer Construction of Marshall . Near the end of his career, Jocko formed "E.C.Dean Masonary", that he operated until his retirement. Even after retirement, he still worked on occasion, and most recently was a volunteer supervisor for his brother Steve, as he layed up brick on Jocko''s granddaughter Lindsey''s new building for her business! During high school, Jocko and some friends had stopped at a local establishment between Battle Creek and Marshall. Some girls had stopped there after going to the movies, and Jocko''s buddies dared him to go talk to them! He did that, and met Marie Parocik in the group. Later in his life, Jocko ran into Marie. He remembered her and asked her out. They were married on June 2, 1953 in Angola, Indiana. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Albion, and the Claude E. Hale Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #4073 in Marshall. He loved fishing and hunting. Jocko enjoyed traveling with Marie and their girls. One favorite memory was visiting the Great Lakes Maritime Museum in Muskegon, where his WWII LST was bring restored. The couple camped all over the country with their travel trailer. They had also enjoyed a cabin at Grand Marais in Michigan''s upper peninsula for a number of years. He loved his dogs over the years, and they were frequent traveling companions. Jocko is survived by his wife, Marie, his daughters, Sharon K. (Mike) Goodrich of Albion, Cristina C. (Thomas) Wilcox of Medford, Oregon, Allyson R. Rombaugh of Battle Creek, and Susan Marie Dean of Ceresco; 9 grandchildren, Matthew Goodrich, Stephen, Joshua, T.J. , and Jared Wilcox , Tracy McCracken, Lindsey Richardson, Daniel Rombaugh and Eric Rombaugh; a great-granddaughter, Kelie Wilcox; his sister Carolyn Thomas of Marshall; brother, Stephen Dean of East Leroy, and adopted brother Lymwong of Phoenix, Arizona; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Floyd Dean. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Friday, November 24, from 2PM to 8PM, where the family will be present to greet friends and share memories from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, November 25, at 11AM at Kempf Funeral Home with Celebrant Robert Doner officiating. Cremation will follow services. Committal will be in Oakridge Cemetery. The family suggests that those who wish to make a memorial contribution direct them to Claude E. Hale VFW Post. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.