James A Dean passed away on October 9th 2025 due to an unrecoverable massive stroke with whom he lovingly considered his “last wife” by his side. He was born in Massachusetts, the eldest boy of 5 children. The family moved several times, landing in Phoenix, Az. Due to the instability he lied about his age, altering his birth certificate, and enlisted at 17 into the Army where he served with the 503rd Engineer Company in Kornwestheim, Germany during the Vietnam Conflict. There he learned German as a second language, completed courses in engineering and automatic data processing systems analysis, worked heavy equipment, and was decorated as a marksman and sharpshooter. Once he was honorably discharged he, his new wife, Hannelore and child returned to the states adding two more to the family. He put his military training and education to work as a power transmission specialist for about 30 years in AZ. During his off time he was a jack of all trades in DYI construction and mechanics. He enjoyed being a part of his kids’ sports, teaching them a trade, hiking, boating on his favorite Apache Lake. He loved the outdoors and the creatures he would see on the trails. God forbid you’d step on an ant or shoot a rabbit. Even during his last weeks of life he wanted to be outside in the sun. “Every minute of every hour”. When he retired he put his design skills into kitchens for 7 years in Nevada. He struggled to maintain healthy relationships until he met his wife, LeAnna and her son in AZ, celebrating more than 20 years together. Jim loved the desert and he fell in love with a North Dakota girl that hated the heat. Their mutual interest in the outdoors, the mental health field and an affection to give back; both wanting to make their mark in North Dakota. They were also able to enjoy the snow bird life in Az for about 7 years. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, the mother to his children, his sister Martha and niece Debbie. He was especially close to his brothers, John and Dave, who also preceded him; and is survived by his baby brother Ralph. He is also survived by his wife LeAnna Halverson-Dean, four kids, Candi (Bob) Grill, Jeff Dean and Silke Dean (Steve Adams) and Bryan (Rose) Halverson. He is Grandpa or Pops to 10 grandchildren and Great Grandpa or Pops to 3. His loving nieces, nephews and in-laws were close to his heart and respected. Every family member’s birthday received a card or a phone call. The “littles” always received crisp dollar bills for every year since their birth. There was rarely a year when a Christmas card wasn’t sent. Jim’s Celebration for Life will be held at Apache Lake Marina and Resort on Saturday, November 15th. https://apachelake.com/ Please go to the link to make your hotel reservations using “James Dean 10” to receive a discount. Camping or “trailering” spots will be made available as well. This is intended to be a happy event of fun to remember a man that really did not like to be the center of attention. He was happy just to be a part of something special. If you wish to make a donation in Jim’s name, please recognize, Encore Hospice. https://encorehospice.com/ We would like to thank them so much for the care and support that they gave him and to us as a family. You will always be in our hearts. Jim also loved kids and St. Jude was one that he always made sure to send something every month or year. https://www.stjude.org/ Cards and flowers can be sent in care of his daughter Candi Grill at 27434 N 130th Dr. Peoria, AZ 85383. If you are sending plants or flowers please send them closer to the date of the event so we can take them with us to the lake.