Lt. Col. James "Jim" Dean

James "Jim" Cook Dean, 87, formerly of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado, died January 31, 2016, at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, holding the hand of his beloved wife, Sue, and surrounded by family. Jim was born October 28, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, to Col. James R. Dean, MD, (R), US Army and Pauline Cook Dean. His early years were spent in California, in the Los Angeles area. After graduating from high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Army and served in the infantry until 1951, when Jim completed Officer Candidate Training School and served in the artillery component of the Army until his retirement in July 1973. Jim retired after having commanded an artillery battalion in Korea, and having served at the Pentagon, in Vietnam, and finally as the Director of Instrumentation at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During his service in the Army, Jim graduated from the University of Omaha with a Bachelor's degree in Education with an emphasis on history and geology. Jim married the love of his life and soulmate, Sue Lewis Bell, of Louisburg, West Virginia, June 30, 1951. Sue and Jim met in Linz, Austria, where Jim's father was serving in the United States Army as a surgeon in an rmy hospital. Jim and Sue were married in Duncan, Oklahoma, and enjoyed 64 years together of love, laughter, and adventure. After Jim retired from the United States Army, he and Sue moved to what would be their beloved Crested Butte, Colorado, where they spent 38 glorious years. After retiring in the Crested Butte area, Jim and Sue became involved in the development of what would become Mt. Crested Butte. The ski area known as Crested Butte incorporated in 1974 and became the municipality of Mt. Crested Butte. Jim served as its first City Manager until he retired in April 1988, 14 years later. Jim was instrumental in developing the infrastructure of the town of Mt. Crested Butte. Jim was an integral part of these early years to develop a progressive local government and successful community now known as Mt. Crested Butte. Jim was also an accomplished builder and completed an addition on their home at 19 Belleview in Mt. Crested Butte with the help of his sons Jim, John and Paul, and on occasion his daughter, Corey. In later years, he pursued woodworking and created many beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and friends. "During their retirement years," Jim and Sue pursued their love of travel, visiting children and friends around the country and abroad, wherever their children were. They enjoyed camping, hiking, cycling, and skiing. Jim took his last run at the age of 83 down the slopes of his beloved Crested Butte Mountain. While in Crested Butte, Jim and Sue joined the United Congregational Church where they were actively involved with the UCC church family of Crested Butte. Jim and Sue moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where their daughter, Corey Rutledge and her husband, Kent, and their granddaughter, Ericka Sue Smith, could care for them and where they would have access to needed medical care and support. For many years, Jim and Sue have enjoyed their Cheyenne friends who often traveled to Crested Butte to hang with Gran and Pa Dean. Jim is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter Corinne (Corey) Rutledge (Kent) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, sons James L. Dean (Barbara) of Crested Butte, Colorado, John P. Dean (Julie) of St. George, Utah, and Paul A. Dean (Tana) of Ketchum, Idaho; his precious grandchildren, Ericka Sue Smith of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Major James W. Dean, USAF, (Lindsey), Austin Tyler Dean of San Jose, California, Mandi R. Olivetti (Peter) of Boulder, Colorado, Dr. Lindsey Rutledge (Mike Damewood) of Denver, Colorado; five great-grandchildren, Eliza Lee Dean, Audrey Sarah Dean, August Camillo Olivetti, Oliver James Damewood, Sebastian Dean Damewood; and his sister, Sally Dean Martin of California. Jim was preceded in death by his precious granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Dean (July 20, 1982 to August 11, 2012) (Pa's skiing buddy); his parents, Col. (Retired) James R. Dean, MD, and Pauline Cook Dean; and his sister, Ruth Dean Hamill. Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews of the Dean, Bell, and Cook families, as well as his large adopted family in Crested Butte, Colorado, and also Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jim was a man who loved God and Sue, and placed them above all, followed by his dedication to family and country. Jim was much loved by all who knew him. Services will be held this Thursday, February 4, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, with Rev. Rick Veit officiating. A light lunch will follow the services. A burial service and interment will take place at the Crested Butte Cemetery on February 12, 2016, at noon, with Tim Clark of the United Congregational Church in Crested Butte presiding. A celebration of life will follow interment in Crested Butte, Colorado. Contributions may be made to the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore Rd., Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009; St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Cheyenne Animal Shelter; PAWS of Crested Butte, Colorado; and the Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte, Colorado.

Service

Thursday, February 4, 2016 10:30am

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

1908 Central

CHEYENNE, WY 82001