Dekoven D.C. Dean, 90, of Springfield, Missouri passed away peacefully in his home on January 8th, 2023, after a long battle with colon cancer.

D.C. was born on March 18, 1932, to Allen and Alberta Fitz Dean in Jackson County, Arkansas. After graduating from Lincoln High, D.C. met Barbara Ingram and they wed in 1959. To that union, 3 children were born, Patricia (Toney) Burton, Durell (Rita) Dean and Adrian (Kimberly) Dean.

D.C. worked at Terrell-Phelps Chevrolet, RC Cola bottling company, The Greene County Sheriff's Department, and retired from Sherwin Williams paint company.

D.C. held many influential positions such as being a Golden Glove champion boxer and coached many champions at The Boy's Club. He also was a long-time member of The Springfield Sertoma Club, where he served countless years at events like the Chili Cookoff and Wing-a-palooza. D.C. was mostly well known for taking over as the cook at Rudy's BBQ at the Ozark Empire Fair after Rudy Ingram passed away. Though D.C. quit smoking cigars years ago, he continued smoking the meat until closing Rudy's BBQ's doors in 2017.

In his spare time, D.C. enjoyed playing and coaching baseball/softball, fishing, bowling, attending NASCAR races, and spending time with family and friends. D.C. confessed his faith in Jesus Christ at Gibson Chapel, where he was an active member until he was no longer able to attend.

D.C. was preceded in death by his father and mother and 11 of his 13 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Dean, his three children, Patricia, Durell, and Adrian, his grandchildren Anthony, Derek, Ashley, Tausha, Taja, and Marvin, his great grandchildren Terrell and Myles, and his brother-in-law Charles Ingram, his brother Mr. Noble Dean Sr. of McCory, Arkansas, his sister Mrs. Catherine Jones of Temple Hills, Maryland, and many nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

D.C. lived a long wonderful life, with a constant contagious smile on his face. He was a genuinely kind, easy going man and rarely met a stranger.

Towards the end of his life, many people contributed to helping him by calling, visiting and showing care. And for that, the family is eternally grateful. It takes a village to, in D.C.'s words "Getter Done"!