Dates
John Dean, loving husband, father and grandfather passed peacefully from his earthly life into the loving arms of Jesus on February 22, 2025. He was the youngest of four children, born July 20, 1937 to Joseph C. Dean and Mary Kahanek Dean in Oklahoma City, OK. John spoke fondly of his childhood, growing up on a small farm on the edge of the city.
In his formative years John attended Corpus Christi Catholic School before transferring to Northeastern High School. He was an accomplished pianist, winning many state competitions, he played alto sax and was band major of his high school band. As a teenager, John declined a scholarship to Juilliard School in New York. After graduating Northeastern High School (Oklahoma City) in 1955, John attend Oklahoma University and Central Oklahoma College.
John entered the corporate world shortly after college where he worked for GE Financial and Sperry Rand. He had several job offers during these years as well as offers to go into business for himself. One such job offer came from a new company called Visa, John thought it was for a ludicrous idea to buy things on credit and couldn’t imagine the credit card taking off. He laughed about this missed opportunity many times, but ultimately knew moving to San Angelo was his ultimate calling. John started in business for himself in 1968 in Amarillo, TX where he had a vending machine route. He soon realized winters were difficult and not prosperous, so he took on a part-time job at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor to make ends meet. It was this part time job that would change the course of John’s life as he knew it. Within 6 months he was offered a partnership in the San Angelo restaurant in 1969. Now an owner, John set the standard for hard work, tirelessly transforming Shakey’s into a town icon by providing great food and outstanding service. He was never too prideful for any job, whether mopping floors or bussing tables. He never asked his employees to do a job he was not willing to do himself. Because he valued education, John offered many of his employees college tuition assistance. He was a huge supporter of San Angelo Independent School District and worked with them and the San Angelo Police Department to start the first DARE program in San Angelo. He encouraged students to excel by providing game tokens for A’s on their report cards. John owned many businesses in San Angelo throughout his career, mostly as a silent partner. It pleased him to see others succeed as he had. His last business, Qwik Cash, started as a part-time venture in his retirement in 1999. But because of John’s hands-on ownership, it turned into quite a success lasting 20 years, closing December 31, 2019. John finally retired at age 82.
While always a true Oklahoman at heart, John loved Texas, especially the city of San Angelo and always strived to make the city better in anyway he could. He served on the San Angelo City Council, San Angelo Symphony Board, San Angelo Restaurant Association, and he started Taste of San Angelo in 1975. John was voted president and board member of the Shakey’s Franchise Association many times.
John is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Melissa Dean, his two children, Jennifer (Taylor) Hammack and Ryan (Kindall) Owens and his six grandchildren, who fondly called him “Papa”, Simon, Willa, Adler and Micah Owens and Sloane and Ryan Dean Hammack, along with his god daughter Rianne Manning. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Brothers-in-law John Roberts of NY, Bill (Kathy) Roberts, Scott (Mary) Roberts of San Angelo and Russel (Lucy) Roberts of Plano. John is predeceased by his parents, his brothers Joseph Dean and Tom Dean, and sister Patricia Catron.
We would like to thank Enhabit Home Health, Enhabit Hospice and Acadia Caregivers (Faith), especially nurses Lindsey and Andrew for the wonderful care you provided John.
A rosary service will be held at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10 AM with a funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 AM. The family wishes to keep the burial private.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Kidney Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association or charity of your choice. Honorary pall bearers Jim Carel, John Kling, Grady Harlow, Mark Brown, Robert Baxter, Jeff Manning.