Douglas Rodger Dean

Douglas Rodger Dean, 73, of Kalkaska, MI, and Ruskin, FL, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, after a 10 month battle with cancer. He faced this final ordeal as he had lived his life: quietly and with courage. He was cared for in his final days by gentle hands at Eden Center.

Doug was born at home on November 18, 1949, to Guy Irving Dean and Edith Leone (Kinnison) Dean. He attended grade school in Alden and graduated from Mancelona High School in 1968. Prior to retirement, Doug owned Guy Dean Insurance in Alden and proudly served on the board of directors at Alden State Bank until his death. He was chairman for several terms.

Doug was a natural athlete who excelled at baseball, basketball, waterskiing, snow skiing, bowling, and golf. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, and fishing, and was in his glory during deer season, which he spent hunting at Buckhorn Lodge in the UP, originally bought by his father and Fred DeWitt in 1957. Doug loved a glass of whiskey and a card game with friends.

Doug could usually be found happily at work in his shop and could repair anything that needed fixing. He was gifted at auto repair, even winning best of show for a rebuilt classic. He was also the devoted and meticulous steward of a large lawn and adjacent wood. He literally whistled (tunefully) while he worked.

He wed his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Gaylord, in 1967. Married for 56 years, they raised two daughters, enjoyed beloved pets, and shared a lifetime of memories with many wonderful friends.

Doug attended Alden United Methodist Church as a child. Over the years, he coached Little League baseball and girls’ softball. He was on the zoning board of appeals, and was a volunteer fireman and president of the fire board. He was a Mason, a Lion, and a Shriner. Doug was known in the community and to his family as helpful, fair, hardworking, kind, sharp, generous, and funny.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Gaylord) Dean, of Kalkaska and Ruskin; his two daughters Melissa Charland (Mark White), of Kewadin, and Melanie Dean Dellatte (Gina Dellatte), of Williamsburg; six grandchildren: Christopher, Cuyler, and Caeden Charland, and Leone, Olivia, and Karalyne Thompson; and 3 great grandchildren: Laila Nelson and Levi and Bodhi Charland; his brother, Guy Dean, Jr. (Sherry) of West Branch, MI, and his sister, Lori Dean Weedon, of Cadillac, MI; as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Dean, Sr., of Alden, his brother Robert Dean, of Bellaire, his brother Jeffrey Dean, of Ocklawaha, FL, and his infant son, Scott Charles Dean.

There will be a graveside service at Lakeview Cemetery in Bellaire, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 4, followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to St. Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital, 501 St.Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Eden Center Long Term Care, 419 S. Coral St., Kalkaska, MI, 49646

Arrangements are under the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com