John Dean Waddill 1911-1975
Compiled information by sister, Wilma Ruth Waddill Hester, by Nancy Townsend Buchan, Cousin
John Dean arrived into the family home in Floyd County, Texas near the small town of Lockney. His arrival was a little extra special because of the date, August 9, 1911, the date of his older brother Warren's seventh birthday. As 'Dean' grew he was to become Warren's 'personal charge'.
Since Dean was the fifth child born under ten years of age, he learned early to fend for himself and he developed a keen sense of diplomacy and a line of talk. Cora often teased that Dean had been vaccinated with a talking machine needle. Everyone that knew Dean, loved him. Dean was always kind, generous and considerate. He was person that never spoke critically or rudely about anyone. If Dean couldn't say something positive about a person or situation, he just wouldn't speak.
Dean had the lightest complexion in the family. he had light hair, fair skin but the dark Waddill eyes. Dean also had the family characteristic of broad square shoulders. As a man, Dean stood about five feet six inches in height.
Dean's early childhood and schooling was in the Wilson, Texas community. Dean attended grade school in the one room schoolhouse that his parents had so actively helped to establish. When Dean was of high school age, the family moved to Plainview, Texas where Dean became active in many school activities and graduated with the Class of 1929.
The Depression Years made it impossible for further education so Dean worked at whatever jobs were available to help his family's finances.
He was one of the first from his area to join up with the C.C.C. Work Camp Programs and spent several months doing reclamation work in the Lincoln National Forest near Cloud Croft, New Mexico.
During this time period, Dean continued with a self education plan. He read many books and studied in depth subjects of interest to him. Dean stayed close to his home and parents in order to help them whenever it was needed. Dean and Grant moved their parents to Rogers, Arkansas in August of 1940.
At the start of World War II, Dean enlisted and was inducted at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. he joined the 112th Calvary Unit, one of the last of that organization. he trained in Brecketville, Texas near the Mexican border. After a time, his unit was shipped to the South Pacific New Guinea area. After his discharge in August 1945, Dean returned to the home of his sister, Wilma, who was living with her husband and children in Lovington, New Mexico. Deans's health was very fragile. He was suffering from malaria as well as shock, pain and general discomfort from his wounds. Dean was discharged with 70% disability resulting from a grenade explosion in the South Sea Islands.
After further recuperation at his sister's, Dean joined his brother-in-law in his business, Hester Tractor and Farm Supply. Dean became a parts and service manager and worked there with 'Slim' (Wilma's husband, Ernest Hester) and Wilma, who kept the books, for the next twenty-three years. This business was located on Lovington's Main Street, a very busy, 'family affair'.
After he left employment at Hester Tractor, Dean opened a business of his own, a pawn shop and gun shop, where he worked until he retired in 1973.
On July 4, 1951, at the age of forty-one years, Dean married Bessie Grace Waits, a local widow with a fourteen year old son, Don Fedric. They became man and wife in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Although the couple had no children of their own, Dean enjoyed and was very involved with his step-son, Don, who continued to reside with the couple until he had grown. Don became a practicing attorney in Roswell, New Mexico. Dean had a big influence in the training and education of his sister Wilma's four children also. Because the tractor business was very close to the Hester home, Dean had daily contact with his niece and nephews.
While Dean was busy at Hester Tractor, Bessie was busy teaching school in Lovington School System, where she continued to teach until her retirement. Dean and Bessie were active members of the First Christian Church, Third Degree Masons and members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dean and Bessie were both very active in all church, school and community activities.
After their retirements, Dean and his wife, enjoyed traveling and camping. One trip was made in their camper to Alaska and a number of shorter trips to the Northwest.
Dean suffered a heart attack on the night of July 11, 1975 and was under intensive care at the local hospital, until his death on August 2, 1975. Burial services were held at the First Christian Church and burial was in the Lovington Cemetery.
John Dean arrived into the family home in Floyd County, Texas near the small town of Lockney. His arrival was a little extra special because of the date, August 9, 1911, the date of his older brother Warren's seventh birthday. As 'Dean' grew he was to become Warren's 'personal charge'.
Since Dean was the fifth child born under ten years of age, he learned early to fend for himself and he developed a keen sense of diplomacy and a line of talk. Cora often teased that Dean had been vaccinated with a talking machine needle. Everyone that knew Dean, loved him. Dean was always kind, generous and considerate. He was person that never spoke critically or rudely about anyone. If Dean couldn't say something positive about a person or situation, he just wouldn't speak.
Dean had the lightest complexion in the family. he had light hair, fair skin but the dark Waddill eyes. Dean also had the family characteristic of broad square shoulders. As a man, Dean stood about five feet six inches in height.
Dean's early childhood and schooling was in the Wilson, Texas community. Dean attended grade school in the one room schoolhouse that his parents had so actively helped to establish. When Dean was of high school age, the family moved to Plainview, Texas where Dean became active in many school activities and graduated with the Class of 1929.
The Depression Years made it impossible for further education so Dean worked at whatever jobs were available to help his family's finances.
He was one of the first from his area to join up with the C.C.C. Work Camp Programs and spent several months doing reclamation work in the Lincoln National Forest near Cloud Croft, New Mexico.
During this time period, Dean continued with a self education plan. He read many books and studied in depth subjects of interest to him. Dean stayed close to his home and parents in order to help them whenever it was needed. Dean and Grant moved their parents to Rogers, Arkansas in August of 1940.
At the start of World War II, Dean enlisted and was inducted at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. he joined the 112th Calvary Unit, one of the last of that organization. he trained in Brecketville, Texas near the Mexican border. After a time, his unit was shipped to the South Pacific New Guinea area. After his discharge in August 1945, Dean returned to the home of his sister, Wilma, who was living with her husband and children in Lovington, New Mexico. Deans's health was very fragile. He was suffering from malaria as well as shock, pain and general discomfort from his wounds. Dean was discharged with 70% disability resulting from a grenade explosion in the South Sea Islands.
After further recuperation at his sister's, Dean joined his brother-in-law in his business, Hester Tractor and Farm Supply. Dean became a parts and service manager and worked there with 'Slim' (Wilma's husband, Ernest Hester) and Wilma, who kept the books, for the next twenty-three years. This business was located on Lovington's Main Street, a very busy, 'family affair'.
After he left employment at Hester Tractor, Dean opened a business of his own, a pawn shop and gun shop, where he worked until he retired in 1973.
On July 4, 1951, at the age of forty-one years, Dean married Bessie Grace Waits, a local widow with a fourteen year old son, Don Fedric. They became man and wife in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Although the couple had no children of their own, Dean enjoyed and was very involved with his step-son, Don, who continued to reside with the couple until he had grown. Don became a practicing attorney in Roswell, New Mexico. Dean had a big influence in the training and education of his sister Wilma's four children also. Because the tractor business was very close to the Hester home, Dean had daily contact with his niece and nephews.
While Dean was busy at Hester Tractor, Bessie was busy teaching school in Lovington School System, where she continued to teach until her retirement. Dean and Bessie were active members of the First Christian Church, Third Degree Masons and members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dean and Bessie were both very active in all church, school and community activities.
After their retirements, Dean and his wife, enjoyed traveling and camping. One trip was made in their camper to Alaska and a number of shorter trips to the Northwest.
Dean suffered a heart attack on the night of July 11, 1975 and was under intensive care at the local hospital, until his death on August 2, 1975. Burial services were held at the First Christian Church and burial was in the Lovington Cemetery.
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
