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Dean Edward Irvin, 86, a resident of Albuquerque since 1950, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2004, with his loving family by his side. He is survived by his wife, Alice and his children, daughter, Deanna and husband, Joe Bowman; son, David and wife, Paula; daughter, Judy and husband, Ray Dewey, and daughter, Tracey; grandsons, David Irvin, Jr., Craig and Brian Bowman, Adam and Justin Dewey; and great-grandchildren, Michael, Jonathan, and Alexis Bowman. Also surviving are his sisters, Dona and husband, Delford Boyer, Barbara and Ted Glover; his brother, Lyle Irvin and his wife, Leona; and many nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his father, Edward and mother, Bernice, and brother, Glen Irvin. Dean was born September 30, 1918 in Havelock, NE, where he attended school. After graduation from the University of Nebraska with a degree in business administration, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve and later joined the Second Infantry Division at Fort Sam, Houston, TX. He went overseas with the Division in September of 1943 and saw action in World War II. During his tour with the military, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Occupation Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hour Glasses; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Theater Medal; Europe, Asia, Middle East Theater Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal. He also received campaign ribbons for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe, plus three overseas bars. He remained active in the Army Reserve and retired with the rank of Colonel. He was very active in volunteer work, serving on boards at both Lovelace Medical Center, and the Cancer Research and Treatment Center at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Dean was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed as much time as he could spare fly-fishing on the Conejos River in southern Colorado where he and Alice built a log cabin, which was their getaway place. Dean had, what he liked to call his “four M’s", his love for the military, music, museums and medicine. He and Alice were honored as New Mexico Philanthropists of the Year in 1995. Two awards he was most proud of were the Strength in Reserve Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the US Army Reserve Program and the first Steve Schiff KAFB Advisory Award. A memorial celebration of Dean’s rich and vibrant life will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. Chaplin Lemuel Boyles officiating. Private burial of cremated remains will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research and Treatment Center, 2325 Camino de Salud NE, #101, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5635 or the charity of your choice. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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