Dean, Marvin Jeff

Marvin Jeff Dean

October 28, 1946 – July 21, 2025

Marvin Jeff Dean, age 78, of Gurdon, “Uncle Jeff” to many passed from this life on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Nightingale health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia.  He was born October 28, 1946, in Hope, the son of the late William Lester and Bessie Carr Dean.  Marvin was a graduate of Hope High School. After High School he was drafted into United States Marine Corp as a member of “U” Company 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry training regiment at Camp Pendleton, California, once in Vietnam he was a member of Amphibious Ready Group Bravo part of the 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade, they participated in 21 major combat operations one of those being operation “Beacon Star” were the were one of the first to occupy Hill 881 northwest of Khe Sanh, they also took part in operations “Hickory Belt Drive”, “Fortress Sentry”, and “Foster”. Marvin was proud to serve his country and always said he would do it again. He was retired from Henderson State University and worked for Rogers construction for many years.  Marvin had a great love for dogs, always having one or two in the vehicle when he drove around.  He enjoyed visiting with family and friends.  Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Milton Dean Sr. and his wife Wanda, two sisters, Mildred Morse and Micky Jenrette, three nephews, Milton Dean Jr., Haskell Morse, and Steve Francis.

Survivors are his two sisters, Diane Tompkins of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Billie Taylor of Arkadelphia, nieces, Leta Nelson and Rita Glascow of Lewisville and Melissa Escapita of Lubbock, TX, nephews, James Brian Francis and Thomas Barry Francis (Debbie), Randy Tompkins, and John Nix, and one great nephew, Jeff Buck (Felicia) of Mt. Olive, Alabama.