John Reay Dean

Palmer resident John Reay Dean, 74, died Nov. 3, 2005, at home, from a long and courageous battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A celebration of life will take place at First Congregational Church in Anchorage at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Mr. Dean was born April 10, 1931, in Huntington Beach, Calif., to John Henry Dean and Mable Begole Dean.

He served in the Navy from 1951 to 1954 and was honorably discharged. He used the GI Bill and graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Dean found his niche in the construction area. He moved to Anchorage in 1972. He first worked as a vice president for Anchorage Sand and Gravel, where he led the engineering, layout and design of the gravel mine and rail terminal in Palmer.

Later, he went into business for himself, where he found a passion in recycling.

He opened the Anchorage Regional Composting Facility at Point Woronzof. Next, he designed, built and operated the glass-recycling plant at the same site.

He was active in all walks of life. In the past he was the president of Airport Heights Community Council, moderator of First Congregational Church, president of Eastridge Condo Association, and was active in getting more recycling for Anchorage. Two awards he received that he was very proud of were the ALPAR Outstanding Business Recycler for 1995 and the ALPAR Board of Directors Award in 1999.

Mr. Dean and his wife, Bonnie, moved to Mountain Rose Estates in Palmer when they both retired and he continued to be active by being the chairman of the landscape committee.

He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends, being an "Idea Man," recycling, fixing things, flying, fishing, skiing, reading, being on the computer and his dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Bonnie Lyons Dean; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Dean; son, Tad Dean, and daughter-in-law, Dorrie Smith Dean; two grandchildren, Alta Katherine Dean and Jedidiah Emmet Dean; uncle, George Reay, and numerous cousins in Washington, Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, Florida and Hawaii.

His wife said he was a good husband and her best friend.

His loved ones wrote, &#8220He could make her laugh even in the bad times. He encouraged her and others to be their best. He also never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He believed if you were going to do any job you should put your whole heart into it. He was always busy doing something and he continued even up until the last few days before his death. His daughter says he was a loving father and was there for her in good times and bad. She could always count on him for love and support. His son says his children enjoyed the many weekends spent with his dad and the cinnamon French toast he made for them. He will continue John's love of fishing with his family. He will also continue to practice the excellent problem-solving skills he was taught.”

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Mr. Dean's name to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer/Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654-7234.

His ashes will be buried at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, in Anchorage.

Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.