David Horton Dean

After a long and hard fought battle with lung cancer, our pastor, husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend went to be with Jesus at 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. While we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. He has entered into a place that is free from pain and discomfort. He was a brave and valiant warrior who fought hard until the very end.David was born in the early morning of December 2, 1946 in Henderson County, Texas, (near Athens) in a wood frame home. He would be the firstborn of six sons born to William Horton Dean and Mary Deen Benton Dean. His time on the farm as a young boy would leave a lasting imprint on his life for the love of animals and the outdoors.David's first pet was a collie named Frosty. His parents recall that it was not uncommon to find the two of them standing at the fence, barking at passing cars. He loved the John Deere tractor and would wait impatiently for his father each afternoon, hoping for a ride to the house.He attended school in De Leon, Texas where he graduated in 1965. Shortly after graduation, he acknowledged the call upon his life to the ministry, of which he would spend the remaining forty-six years of his life fulfilling.Rev. Dean would serve as assistant to churches in Abilene, TX, and Tuscon, AZ. Later, he would become ordained in the United Pentecostal Church International, pastoring churches in Portales, NM., Moro, AR., Stephens, AR., Weeches, TX., Camden, NJ., Scot, AR and finally, Killeen, TX. He would continue as pastor of Tabernacle of Praise in Killeen (formerly First United Pentecostal Church) where he would become the longest tenured pastor, serving over 23 years. During that period, he would also serve time as Chaplain for the Killeen Police Department.David would buy acreage south of Killeen that would become his private haven, lovingly referred to as "the land". On this property, he would garden, raise rat terriers, birds, peacocks, catfish, horses and various other species of animals. His love for the outdoors, hunting and animals never died, and still lives on through his land.He is survived by his wife, Selena Dean; children, Shannon Dean, Clint Dean, Brandon Dean, and Janiah Dean, all of Killeen; grandchildren, Caleb, Seth, and Brandon "BJ" Jr.; parents, Rev. William H. "Bill" and Mary Dean of Bentonville, AR., brothers, Rev. John Dean and his wife Debbie of Bentonville, AR., Rev. Jerry Dean and his wife Regina of Bossier City, LA., Rev. Daniel Dean and his wife Becky of Colleyville, TX., Mark Dean and his wife Sylvia of Arlington, TX; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by a brother, James Randall Dean.Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 at Tabernacle of Praise, 5010 Trimmier Rd., Killeen. Funeral services: 12 Noon on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Killeen, 3310 S. W.S. Young Drive. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories near David's beloved land.If friends desire, kindly direct contributions to the William H. Dean Bible College of Nicaragua, c/o The Pentecostal of Bossier City, LA., 2833 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA., 71111 or the American Cancer Society, 500 East Main Street, Grand Prairie, TX, 75050.Florists are requested to deliver flowers to Tabernacle of Praise after 12 noon on Monday.

David Horton Dean

December 2, 1946 - February 16, 2011