Walter Lee Dean, age 93, passed away January 4th, 2026, in Portland, TX. Walter was born January 24, 1932, in rural Wilson County, Kansas. He was the first-born child of Leon and Hazel (Rowan) Dean. He graduated from Allen High School, Allen, Kansas in 1950 and enrolled at Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas. When the Korean War occurred, Walter entered the USAF in 1951, was released from active duty in 1955, and was honorably discharged in 1959. Walter went back to school upon release from military service and went to work in the aerospace industry. He retired from Boeing Company in 1991.
Walter married Wilma Jean Hurt in 1956 in Severy, Kansas. They lived in several places to include Wichita, Kansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fredonia, Kansas, and Grenola, Kansas, during his years in the aerospace industry. Walter was very active in the community of Grenola, Kansas and Elk County serving on the Greenfield Township Board, Elk County Rural Fire Department, Elk County Council for Economic Development, the Grenola Public Library Board, and Mayor of Grenola for fifteen years. He was a charter member of Haysville Kansas Masonic Lodge #122, and a member of the American Legion Post #389 at Allen, Kansas. After retirement Walter and his wife eventually moved to Corpus Christi where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Walter had loved to quail hunt and to especially watch the bird dogs work. He enjoyed visiting with people which made him great at his work in public service. Walter and Wilma had very close relationships with Wilma’s sisters and their husbands to which they spent vacations and many hours enjoying each other’s companionship, and interests.
Walter and Wilma’s last residence was at Brookdale Trinity Towers in Corpus Christi.
They made many friends of the residents and the employees at Trinity Towers. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, his wife, Wilma Jean Dean, and son, Michael Eugene Bunyard, Walter is survived by one brother, Paul Dean of Greensburg, Kansas; daughter, Paula Armstrong and husband Frank of Corpus Christi, Texas; daughter Glenda Zinsitz and husband Douglas of Bandera, Texas: and Daughter-in-law Marla Nieves of Bellaire, Kansas. Five grandchildren; Sarah, Matthew, John, Eric, and Laura. Seven great-grandchildren; Cinco, Billy, Cece, Finn, Jeremiah, Tanner, and Jace.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Jan. 11, at Brookdale Trinity Towers, Corpus Christi, TX. A memorial has been established with the Corpus Christi First United Methodist Church. Donations can be sent to: First United Methodist Church, 900 S Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401.
