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DEAN -- Marvin Douglas Dean, aka Doug Dean, an artist and community elder died on September 17, 2003 at age 97 at a local hospital from pneumonia with members of those he considered his adopted family by his side. He was born and raised in Saluda County, South Carolina on January 12, 1906. He attended Wofford College for three years, anticipating a career in theology. As he developed an interest in foreign affairs and a career in that field, he moved to Washington, D.C. and attended George Washington University Law School for several years. During a visit to the Smithsonian Institute, he discovered Benson Moore and awakened his own interest in Art. He then studied Art at the Corcoran Art Gallery while working at a variety of occupations during his 12 years in DC. His health began to fail, as did his first marriage. He moved to El Paso in 1939. He worked at a variety of jobs, including house painting, Christmas gift wrapping, and dance instructor, then for a national dairy product company. At the boarding house, where he stayed, he met Mary Henderson, who became his wife at the beginning of WWII. They were married at Neosha, MO where he was first stationed. During the war, he served with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific and was in charge of the cryptography unit in Hawaii. There, work took precedence over rank. Although he was only a Tech. Sgt., he was always amazed at the deference shown him by higher ranking officers because of the highly secret work done by his unit. He was very proud of his work there. He had only 13 days leave during his three years doing this vital work. After the war, his position in El Paso was no longer available, so the couple moved to Albuquerque where they lived in the north valley until buying a home in the heights in 1953. His health failed, after beginning his own business, and he spent a year in the VA hospital. Thereafter, he stayed at home, caring for his wife's elderly aunt, and later his wife. During these years, he was very active in the NM Art League and art circles. He taught both at his home studio and at the Art League, where he was curator for several years. He studied under and painted with many well know NM artists, including Ted Schuyler and Betty Sabo. During the 1980's, Doug and Mary were reunited with his long lost son and family from his early years and marriage. This came as a surprise to friends who never knew about the early son. Mary and Doug had no children during their marriage of 54 years. Mary died following a long illness in 1995. The reunion with his son led to visits to his early home area and visits to family and former locations from his youth. He was able to visit several times after Mary's death. In his later years, he concentrated more and more on his art, faithfully painting every day. Although he had great talent in many areas and produced many fine works, he felt he wanted to learn and improve in other areas and studied continually. His cremated remains will be interred at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe beside his wife. He is survived by his son, Francis Marion Dean of Greenville, SC and wife, June; grandson, Mathew Dean; granddaughter, Karen Davis; and four great-grandchildren. He was always a gentleman in his dress and behavior, seldom appearing without his hat and coat. He was a well recognized figure around his neighborhood and greatly respected by all his loving friends, family and fellow artists.
        Published on: Sun September 21, 2003