John David Dean

John David Dean, 72, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away March 20, 2025, at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, where a memorial service was held for the family. He was born August 8, 1952, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Ruth Wallace Dean and William Ruffian Dean. John grew up in the spa city where he attended Rix Elementary, Central Junior High School, and Hot Springs High School. Prior to his senior year, he transferred to Waldron when his mother became an egg rancher. John graduated from Waldron High School and then earned an Agronomy degree at the University of Arkansas; and later, a P-12 multiple subject teaching degree from Chapman University in Orange, California. He served 15 years in the Navy aboard the USS Princeton and USS Kitty Hawk; and was a veteran of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. John was chosen “Sailor of the Year,” which recognized high-performing enlisted Sailors who exemplified the Navy’s core values and represented the ideals of a professional Sailor. John was a hero in many ways. In one account, a neighbor’s baby had drowned in a bathtub, and he administered CPR which brought the baby back to life. In another, he taught special needs children for ten years in an elementary school. He was also a motorcycle safety instructor and a drummer in a band, most lately with the Tone Chasers and the Free Word Band. John is survived by his son, Robert Daniel Dean (Stephanie) of Menifee, CA; and daughters Layla Josephine Sutton (Landon) of Menifee, CA, and Tina Dean Turner (David) of Denver; grandchildren Caitlyn and Sophia Dean; Barrett Dean Sutton; and William, Melina, Phillip, and Thomas Turner; sister, Rebecca Dean Parker (Thomas) of Mena, AR, and brother, Phillip Witworth Dean of Greenville, CA. He is also survived by the love of his life, Leslie Swinford of Hot Springs and his bonus children and grandchildren. They are Justin and Michelle Swinford of North Little Rock and Erin and Kevin Hampton of Hot Springs; and the grandchildren, who called him “Pappy,” Sydney and Kenzie Hampton along with Madeline, Anna Grace, Ian and Katherine Swinford. A private burial will be held for John on March 25, 2025, at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Mena, Arkansas where he will be buried by his beloved mother.

John David Dean

August 8, 1952 - March 20, 2025