Dean Wilburn
Service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at First Baptist Church of Harrison, with burial at Maplewood Cemetery; Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at the church; arrangements by Holt Memorial Chapel.
Ivan Dean Wilburn, 77, of Harrison, left his family and friends, on Friday, Nov. 21 (2014).
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Kathryn Allen Wilburn; two daughters, Suzanne Axon, of Nixa, Missouri, and Tina (Tim) Stoddard, of Hot Springs; six grandchildren, Luke, Katie and Mark Axon, of Nixa, Missouri, Shawna (Chris) Stoddard Blet, of W. Little Rock, Shane Stoddard, of Hot Springs, and Amanda Stoddard-Guier, of Texarkana, Texas; and three great-grandchildren.
Dean is also survived by two sisters, Imogene Payne, of Vancouver, Washington, and Gwendola (Jack) Tennyson, of Harrison; brother-in-law, Virgil Stonecipher, of Harrison; six nieces and nephews, Lisa (Ed Alspaugh) Villines, Chuck (Tammy) Tennyson, all of Harrison, Steve (Deann) Wilburn, of Santa Rosa, California, Teresa (Chad) Hamburg and Tammi (Terry) Parman, both of Vancouver, Washington, and Belinda Hochanadel, of Seattle, Washington; and a host of family and friends.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Lawrence and Robie Lillian (Ray) Wilburn; brother and sister-in-law, Deuford and Mozena Wilburn; sister, Audrice Stonecipher; brother-in-law, Reggie Payne; nephew, Douglas Wilburn; and niece, Barbara Palmer.
He attended Arkansas Tech University where he lettered all four years and was all conference three of those years in men’s basketball. In his early career, Dean coached high school basketball from 1960 to 1973 at Scranton, Valley Springs, Harrison and North Arkansas Community College. All of his teams improved greatly and excelled through his leadership to play in many local and state tournaments. He was most proud to be the first senior high school coach to take Harrison to the state tournament and to win their first ever state championship for senior high boys. In addition to coaching at Harrison, he also served as assistant principal and athletic director.
Dean made a career change to the insurance industry, first with his own agency and later worked as large group Rep of the NW region for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arkansas until retirement in 1997.
Dean’s many accomplishments include Certified Health Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Financial Consultant, Harrison High Hall of Fame in 2003, agent of the year for Travelers Insurance in 1973, served 10 years on the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees, twice as Chairman of the Board, and many other designations.
While work was important, his church and family life came first. He served many times as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist, Harrison.
Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at First Baptist Church of Harrison. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at First Baptist Church of Harrison, with Pastor Rob Davis officiating along with the Rev. Bobby Brown, and special music by Dave and Kirsten Hart. Pallbearers are John and Marie Needham, James Trammell, Jerry Greenhaw, Mel Blackwood, Don Smith and Joe Foley. Special friends are Dr. Ralph Bowers, Roger and Carlene Morris. Special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Tom Langston. Honorary pallbearers are Men’s Adult IV Sunday School class, Arkansas Tech basketball teammates, Dr. Robert Brown, NW Arkansas Regional Blue Cross/Blue Shield employees, members of the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees, Jerry Clark and all of his former players, coaches, managers and cheerleaders whom he had the privilege to coach. His final resting place is Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Hills in Harrison or to First Baptist Church of Harrison.
Arrangements are by Holt Memorial Chapel and condolences may be sent to www.HoltChapel.com.
