Dean J. Loon, 80, of Arizona City, formerly of Alexandria and Mitchell, S.D., and Sun Valley, went to be forever with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 25, 2014. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Sun Valley Nazarene Church and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at New Beginnings Nazarene Church, 1915 N. Casa Grande Ave. in Casa Grande.
He was born in Aurora County, S.D., to Alvin and Edna (Johnson) Loon on Sept. 18, 1933.
Dean was the eldest of six boys, and later, from his father’s second marriage to Geraldine (Scott), he was blessed with another brother and from their union, a sister. After completing the eighth grade, he stayed home to work on the family farm.
He married Carol Wurster, of Fedora, S.D., on July 21, 1955. From this union were born three children, Evelyn Mae, Deanna Rae, and Stanley Dean. He was a wonderful brother, husband and father who loved all his family dearly.
In 1952, Dean joined the U.S. Air Force and served our country four years. He returned to South Dakota to farm and raise livestock until 1977.
In his younger years he was a member of a horse club and a CB radio club, and he always enjoyed visiting, drinking coffee, and playing games with neighbors and family in his free time. Hunting, fishing, and camping out with his family were activities he also enjoyed.
He formed Loon Trucking Company while still farming, hauled hay after moving to Mitchell, and later became a salesman for livestock feed supplements. He served on the Sun Valley Volunteer Fire Department Board for several years. In addition, he opened and ran used furniture stores in both Mitchell and Holbrook.
Dean was a faithful member of the Church of the Nazarene, for which he served as an usher, board member and adult Sunday School teacher for many years. He loved the Word, lived what it taught, and shared the wisdom he attained from it and his walk with the Lord. He had a heart of compassion, always wanting to help those in need.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne, his father and mothers.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Carol of Arizona City; his children, Evelyn Gardner and husband, Rev. Don of Nairobi, Kenya, Deanna Sullivan and husband, Rev. Ron, of Amarillo, Texas, and Stan Loon, of Sun Valley; his brothers, Myron (Dorla) Loon, Jim (Colette) Scott, Bob (Rosella) Loon, Dennis (Marie) Loon and Orland (Carolyn) Loon; and one sister, Judy (Loon) (Rev. Dave) Donovan. He also leaves behind six granddaughters, Amy (Gardner) and Matt Schwandt, Erin (Gardner) and Justin Hawkinson, Allissa (Gardner) and Jakin Mattern, Valerie (Sullivan) and Anthony Henry, Vicki (Sullivan) and Cooper Lee, and Vanessa (Sullivan) and Chase Schubert; 11 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was a beloved husband, father, brother and uncle who will be missed immensely.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests financial donations, which can be sent to P.O. Box 3692, Arizona City, Ariz. 85123.
