Clifton H. Dean

Clifton H. Dean, 84, of Crow Flat, New Mexico, passed away October 7, 2011 at home. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. A Graveside Service is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2011, 10:00 AM, at Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat, New Mexico with Dalton Bell officiating. Interment will follow in Dean Family Cemetery, Crow Flat, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Clifton H. Dean was born May 13, 1927 in Alamogordo, New Mexico to Herman and Mae (Lewis) Dean. He was drafted while still in high school. Clifton served his country in the US Marine Corp. during WWII and after being honorably discharged he returned and finished high school in Weed, New Mexico. He married Mildred Payne on August 12, 1948. Clifton said from the moment he laid eyes on Millie, she was his. She was the love of his life and the best partner he ever had. They moved to their Berlin Ranch in the Brokeoff Mountains where they sheep ranched and raised their children. Later they moved to Crow Flat so the kids could attend high school. Clifton went to work for NMSU as a trapper and retired after 23 years. He was inducted into the Kit Carson Trappers Hall of Fame and always enjoyed life at the ranch. He had a great love for good Quarter Horses that he owned and raised. Clifton said that a horse wasn't worth much unless they would pitch a little when they were fresh. Clifton was an avid fiddler and loved good fiddle music. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred "Millie" Dean; sisters: Minnie Ruth Kemp and Lavada Lewis. Survivors include five children: Winnamae Gage and husband, Nick of Artesia, NM, Crockett Dean and wife, Pam of Dell City, Texas, Becky Dean-Walker and husband, Dennis of Sierra Blanca, Texas, Francis Dean Taylor and husband, Bruce of Deming, NM, Quentin Dean and wife, Dana of Crow Flat, NM; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Upton Dean and wife, Linda of Rascoe, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Honorary pallbearers will be Sara Snow, Star Dean, Whitney Walker, Quee Williams, Dani Shrum, Carye Shrum and Shyra Tate. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.