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CUTLER -- Donald "Dean" Cutler, 92, a former resident of Albuquerque, died Sunday, October 5, 2003 in Mesa, AZ. He was born on the Spring Brook farm north of Orchard, Iowa, on January 10, 1911. He was born to James Leonard and Nina Claire Cutler. Dean had one brother Dale Herbert Cutler and one surviving sister Barbara May Cutler of Greene NY. Dean graduated from Cornell University in 1933 with a Masters in Forestry. The next day after graduation, he then began a long 40-year career (1933-1973) with the US Forest Service. His first assignment was to lead a CCC camp in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona. In 1939 he married his wife, Mary Francis Jackle of Flagstaff, Arizona. They moved over 20 times in 21 years from 1939-1960. Dean was the recipient of many Certificates of Merit from the US Department of Agriculture, for his hard work and dedication to his job. He also received a Certificate of Commendation in 1947 from The President of the United States, Harry Truman. In 1957 while stationed in Alamogordo, NM as Supervisor of the Lincoln National Forest, he selected the National Christmas Tree a 67" Engelman Spruce that was anchored on the President's White House Law. President Eisenhower said that it was the most beautiful Christmas tree that he had ever seen. Dean was also sent to Washington D.C. to work with the Chief of the Forest Service, to redo the entire Forest Service Manuals and Procedures. He was asked to stay and work under the Chief but his heart was in the west. He retired as the Division Chief of Lands Classification and Management of R-3. Dean was considered by some as one of the founding fathers of the US Forest Service and by all that worked with him, he was an inspiration of hard work and dedication. He was also a very dedicated husband to his wife Mary Francis of 64 years of marriage. They had two children, (James William Cutler of Rio Rancho and Alice Clair Cutler of Tempe, AZ). Also surviving are their three Grandchildren John Dean Cutler & Betsy Karner of Albuquerque, and James J.J. Cutler of Glendon MN. And four great-grandchildren Joshua, Briana, Bryan Dean Cutler of Albuquerque, NM and Jiden Cutler of Glendon, MN. Dean and Mary Frances faith in God and each other is very well known with anyone who knew them. They attended daily mass every day for more than 40 years at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. He volunteered his time as the grounds keeper for years and was very involved in many of the church's committees and programs. Dean and Mary Francis were honored by the Archbishop with the St. Francis Medallion. He was given the keys to the church for the rest of his life, as the church was the second home to him and his wife Mary. If they were not at home they were at the church, as its been said. Mary, or Hun, as Dean called her, could not be out of his sight for more than 5 min. before she was calling for him. He would always come to her no matter what he was doing. Mary Francis died on September 10, 2003. We know that she must have called him from Heaven, "Dean!!!" then told the Father, "Where's Dean, I need him." The Father said, "I know where he is, Mary. I will get him for you". So the Father asked Dean, "Mary needs you". Dean said, "Let's go." And he died, as he could not live without her. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, October 9, 2003, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be James W. Cutler, Alice C. Cutler, John D. Cutler, James J.J. Cutler, Betsy A. Karner, Joshua J. Cutler, Bryan D. Cutler, and the U.S. Forest Service. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, Thursday, October 9, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. French Mortuary 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 823-9400
        Published on: Wed October 08, 2003