Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Owen Dean Reavis, 86, of Cody, formerly of Thermopolis, died August 12, 2015, at the West Park Long Term Care Center of complications from kidney failure.
Dean was born August 18, 1928, in Spokane, Wash. to Jack and Genevieve Reavis. When he was 4, the family moved to Dayton, Wyo. He graduated from Tongue River High School in 1947.
Dean served in the Army from 1948-1952 and was stationed in England and Okinawa. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2281 in Thermopolis.
After his military service, Dean returned to Wyoming to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and Amoco. In 1954, he married Loretta McDonald. The couple had two sons, and the family settled in Thermopolis.
In 1960, Dean was injured in an oilfield accident and his legs were paralyzed for the rest of his life. Despite his paralysis, he continued to live an active life and often ventured into the outdoors with his two sons, hunting, fishing, and camping. In 1969, he was honored by the Wyoming Governor for surmounting his disability and facilitating the employment of others with disabilities.
Dean served as Town Clerk of Thermopolis for 21 years, under mayors Poole, Brown, Allen, and Mortimore. He moved to Cody 12 years ago to be closer to family.
He is survived by his wife Loretta of Cody; sons Calvin and Jay of Cody; and grandsons Brian and Brandon of Cody, and Eric of Los Angeles.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Norma Faye DeLapp.
A burial service took place at Monument Hill Cemetery in Thermopolis on August 15.
Reader Comments(0)