Dean Kluckman
August 20, 1922 — June 22, 2007
Dean Kluckman went home to receive his heavenly reward on June 22, 2007. He was born on Aug. 20, 1922 in Elliot, ND. He had two brothers, Ralph Kluckman of Austin, Texas and the late Col. Bill Kluckman and one sister, June Tomonelli of Lincoln, Nebraska. He married the love of his life, Donna L. Kluckman on June 1, 1948. During World War II, Dean proudly served his country as a Carpenters Mate in the Navy Seabees. Dean was exceptionally proud of the fact that he helped build war-time airstrips in the Philippines and the Azores. When he is interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, he will take his place among thousands of other men and women who served their country with dignity and be reunited with his brother, Col. Bill Kluckman, USMC. After World War II, Dean attended Texas A&I University where he played on the university football team for 3 years. After graduation, he completed a life-long dream of becoming a teacher and football coach. He coached the Lyford Bulldogs to the 1950 Class B Bi-District Football Championship and was voted favorite teacher of the year. That same year, he was named Express-News Coach of the year. Dean and family eventually moved to Levelland, Texas where Dean worked for Amoco Oil Company until his retirement. He was an active member of St. Michaels Catholic Church where he volunteered as an usher and song leader and was very involved with the Knights of Columbus. Dean always found a way to give back to his community including volunteering as a GED preparatory teacher and teaching English as a Second Language classes. After retirement, the Kluckmans purchased an RV and traveled full-time for 10 years. While traveling around the US and touring the world, they made lifelong friends everywhere they went. The Kluckmans eventually settled in the Texas Hill Country to be near their children. Dean then had more time to devote to his favorite hobby of golf and achieved his second life-long dream of making a hole-in-one. They have lived in San Antonio for the past five years. Dean is survived by his wife Donna Kluckman of San Antonio; daughters, Beth Hollowell and husband, Glen of San Antonio, Karen Staton and husband, Bill of Lubbock, Lea Ann Bainter and husband, Eric of Seguin; son, Steve Kluckman of Farmers Branch; grandchildren, Matt Hollowell and wife, Carolyn and Dylan Staton; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Robin, Krystin, Mahren and namesake, Mahsen Dean as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Schertz Funeral Home Chapel with Father J. Anthony Kluckman officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at 11:15 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
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