Paul Austin Dean Obituary
Paul Austin Dean was born in Miami, Florida on October 13, 1938 to Albert Vernon Dean and Doris (Mappin) Dean. He died at the age of 84 in Dallas, Texas. As the son of an Army officer, Paul spent his childhood in a number of different locations, attending high school in Miami and Bremerhaven, West Germany and graduating from Miami Jackson Senior High School in 1956. Following high school, he was granted a congressional appointment as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, from which he graduated in 1961. He was then commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
As a U.S. Air Force officer, Paul served as a pilot and C-130 commander. He was stationed in various locations, including Georgia, Tennessee, and the Philippines, from which he flew transport missions in and out of Vietnam. Following the end of his Vietnam service in 1967, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force at the rank of Captain. He then moved with his family to Irving, Texas, where he took a position as a commercial pilot with Braniff International Airlines. During his flying career with Braniff, Piedmont, and US Air, he piloted 727, DC-8, and 737 aircraft until his retirement from US Air in 1998.
Paul was a devoted and loving family man. He married Donna (Hartin) Dean in 1961 and supported her through a long series of illnesses until her death on December 16, 2016. After moving to Irving in 1967, Paul and Donna remained active and beloved members of Plymouth Park United Methodist Church. Paul served as a long time faithful member of the PPUMC chancel choir, volunteering in various roles including choir president and music librarian.
An avid and gifted athlete, Paul loved to play golf, tennis, pool, bowling, and other sports. The father of four boys, he frequently served as head coach for his sons sports teams and continued to golf with his sons for many years up until his passing.
Paul is survived by three sons, David Austin Dean (Kathy), Michael Allen Dean (Lori), Jeffrey Scott Dean, his brother Richard Dean, his sister Janice Lapean, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, and his oldest son William Brian Dean who recently passed away in November 2022.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas.