Harold Dean “Deano” Smith, 65, died Monday, April 4, 2022 at Minneola District Hospital in Minneola, Kansas.
He was born on September 26, 1956 the son of Rose and Albert “Bud” (Bertalan) Smith at Dodge City, Kansas. He was a lifetime area resident and worked at Hy Plains Dressed Beef for 14 years and J-A-G as a concrete foreman for 23 years. He loved to cook and worked at various restaurants in Dodge City. He also won judges choice award for the Boot Hill chili cook off and was very proud of it. Deano enjoyed playing Santa at many different functions in Dodge City.
Dean joined the Army in 1974 and graduated from Wahiawa High School, Wahiawa, Hawaii, while stationed at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. He previously attended Dodge City High School but was expelled ¼ credit short for streaking.
While in the Army he attained the rank of Sargent in the air defense artillery. He later joined the National Guard and was a combat medic, becoming section Chief of the medical section and was also on the state rifle team. He was a member of the National Guard for 15 years.
After returning from the service, he married Terry Jo Looney in July 1978. They had one daughter, Kayla, and later divorced.
He met Audrey (Burton) Calvin in 2000 and have been together ever since. They married on June 10, 2017 at Dodge City, Kansas. She survives.
Survivors also include a son, Daniel Calvin, Austin, Texas; a daughter, Kayla Cowan and husband Brandon, Goodland, Kansas; and 3 grandsons, Braxton, Cooper and Dawson Cowan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Keith Lee Smith.
Memorial service will be Friday, April 8, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City with Rev. Shawn Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Dodge. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.
The family suggests memorials to Disabled Veterans or the American Legion District 8 both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.