Cover photo for Dean Kilmer's Obituary
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1925 Dean 2011

Dean Kilmer

October 28, 1925 — April 9, 2011

Dean Kilmer passed away on the morning of April 9, 2011. Dean was born on October 28, 1925 in Sidney, Nebraska to Albert Samuel and Linea Kilmer.

His family moved to Fort Sumner, New Mexico in 1927 where Albert worked as a signal maintainer for the Santa Fe Railroad. Dean graduated from Fort Sumner High School and joined the Navy during World War II in 1942. He served on the cruiser USS Topeka in the South Pacific and was a tailgunner and radioman on a Douglas Dauntless dive bomber. After the war, Dean came back to New Mexico and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales on a GI Bill scholarship and obtained a degree in education. Dean moved to Clovis in 1950 and began teaching fifth grade and coaching football at Eugene Field Elementary school where he met and married Mary Francis Baber, his wife of 57 years. Dean then taught earth sciences and coached football at Gattis Junior High School until 1971 when he became a guidance counselor at Yucca Jr. High School, where he worked until his retirement in 1983.

Dean was preceded in death by Mary in 2008. Dean is survived by his sons Eddie of Albuquerque, his wife, Leslie and their children, Dean, Kevin and Kylie son, Clay of Albuquerque, his wife, Gail and their sons, Keaton and Alex.

Dean was a man of character, perspective and commitment, as were many of his contemporaries who suffered the privations of the Great Depression as children, then had to confront the uncertainty and horror of World War II as adolescents and young adults. Dean knew what was really important in this life. He treasured his family, his friends, his word and his independence.

His sons have had the great fortune of growing up under the watchful eye of a father who was fully engaged in their lives and who worked hard to teach them how to work, play, laugh and be accountable. Dean was a graceful and comfortable man who had a fine sense of humor and spent a good deal of his life laughing, seeming to enjoy it most when he was laughing at himself. He had the respect and admiration of many beloved and worthy friends who will miss him dearly. Dean was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and friend. He will be remembered fondly for his kindness and integrity and vividly for his good humor. We have been truly blessed to have him in our lives.

A memorial service will be held at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Clovis, 2600 Main Street on Saturday April 16 at one oclock with Rev. Don Reid officiating. Burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kingswood United Methodist Church, 2600 Main St., Clovis, NM 88101, or to Plains Regional Cancer Center, 2219 Dillon St., Clovis, NM 88101. Arrangements are by SteedTodd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, NM 88101 5757635541. www.steedtodd.com

Service


Funeral

Kingswood United Methodist Church
2600 N. Main
Clovis, NM  88101
Saturday, April 16, 2011
1:00 p.m.

Cemetery


Santa Fe National Cemetery
Santa Fe, NM  87502

Memorial Contributions



2600 N. Main
Clovis, NM  88101


2219 Dillon ST.
Clovis, NM  88101
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