Irene Dean

Irene Garland Dean passed away Friday, April 6th, following a series of illnesses at the age of 81. She was loved by everyone who knew her. Irene was the rock of our family. She kept us grounded while motivating and supporting us in whatever direction we headed. Irene was born in Stroud, OK, where she grew up and graduated from Stroud High School. She attended Central State University (AKA UCO), and later became an employee in the Science Department, where she worked for numerous years. Irene was married to Joseph E. Crawford Jr. for 20 years and had 2 children, Martin J. Crawford and Trisha Sue Crawford Clark. In this time, she was a beloved DeMolay mom and was an inspiration in many young men's lives. In 1979 she met the love of her life, Ronald W. Dean. The same year she also started to work with Gary Baccus, State Farm Agent. She enjoyed all aspects of working for Gary for 30 years. She was especially fond of meeting & working with clients, selling insurance, the duties of office manager, and being a 2nd mom to all the staff. Irene enjoyed reading, shopping, attending garage & estate sales, playing cards, and cooking (especially her famous Chocolate Cake). She cherished her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond for her family or anyone who needed help. Many of Marty & Trisha's friends considered Irene as an extended mom. She always made everyone comfortable and was always there with a hug, kiss and maybe something special that she had baked. She fell in love with Pugs after receiving her pug Charlee Girl as a Christmas Gift from her loving husband Ron. Soon after she was fostering and helping out Homeward Bound Pug Rescue. Over a series of years, she and Ron fostered well over 20 pugs and only being a foster failure on 2 - Jojo(RIP) and Sebastian. Her 4 legged family members will miss sitting in her lap and enjoying the food she would sneak to them under the table. Irene is survived by her loving husband, Ronald W. Dean; devoted children, Martin J. Crawford, Trisha Sue Crawford Clark, Teri Warden, Dawn Ballew & Anne Volmering; and grandchildren, Christopher J. Crawford, Kyle J. Crawford, Sam Bond, Jedediah Bond, Erin Hoff, Ryan Eaton, Ripley Volmering & Danielle Volmering, numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister, Victoria P. Lord & brother, Johnny W. Garland. She is preceded in death by her mother, Callie M Neese, father, Vester R. Garland, step father, Levi O. Neese, and grandson Brandon Melzark. Her loving nature and spunky attitude will be missed by everyone who knew her. The family would like to thank the wonderful hospitality of Interim Hospice, especially her nurse, Kaci Stephenson, during her final days. They made her final transition much easier for her and her loved ones. While she loved Yellow Roses and fresh flowers of any kind, if you would like to make a donation in her honor to either of the following organizations, it would be greatly appreciated: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma or Homeward Bound Pug Rescue of Oklahoma. Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Saturday before the service. Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 14th, 2018, at 2:30pm at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK. Burial services will be held on Sunday, April 15th, at Stroud, OK, Cemetery at 2pm.