Michael Dean
April 21, 1954 — June 23, 2015
Michael Alan Dean, age 61, died on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, after a difficult battle with ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Alan Dean. Mike is survived by his loving wife Gail, son Jared, and daughter Erin; his mother Barbara Dean, brother Tom Dean (Denise), brother Steve Dean (Carol), and sister Janice Dean; granddaughters Kyleigh, Bailey, and McKenna; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving extended family and friends. Mike was born on April 21, 1954, in El Paso, Texas. As he grew up and over the span of his life's journey, he acquired a love of the outdoors, a passion for family, and a commitment to the land and its wide open spaces. He married the love of his life, Gail Davidson Dean, not once but twice, as they grew in their love for each other in spite of challenges that briefly pulled them apart. Mike grew the business of Texas Imagineering and the Breakaheart Ranch with a reputation for quality, customer service, and a look and feel about Texas that was classic and beautiful. His fascination with longhorn cattle led him to acquire, breed, and attempt to preserve a small part of the Butler bloodline; a 'hobby' and a lifestyle he enjoyed tremendously. Mike had a wonderful interpersonal gift that positively influenced the lives he touched; and as he criss-crossed the state of Texas in support of his business, he had friends everywhere who looked forward to him sharing a story or two...or three, or just passing a little time together. Mike truly cared about their news as much as they cared about his. Mike was renowned for his ability to 'fabricate' unique and unprecedented structural or mechanical solutions to a particular problem on the ranch or in the warehouse using only what was available to him. He was also renowned for his ability to fabricate entirely new words that might or might not be relevant to the fragments he used, but that were perfectly applicable somehow together, mostly. Mike made us all laugh with his selfless humor and ability to put anyone at ease. He built a business, a family, and a life based on the qualities he valued most highly: family, love, integrity, hard work, commitment, faith, and persistence. A service in celebration of Mike's life will be held at the Windcrest United Methodist Church on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, Mike preferred donations to the San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries.
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