Dean Allen Holcomb, 81, of Claremont, California, died peacefully at home with his wife and son by his side on August 8, 2023.  He was born in rural Wisconsin in February of 1942 to Luverne and Mildred Holcomb. He was the first born of 8 and attended a one-room country school house.  His family later moved to Monroe, Wisconsin where he completed high school, the class of 1960. 

After high school Dean traveled the world for 2 years in the United States Navy and was aboard the flagship destroyer in the Cuban Missile Crisis, tracking and surfacing Russian submarines. He went on to graduate from University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, earning a biology degree with a minor in English, Art, and Education. He began his teaching career at Park Avenue Continuation High School in Pomona, CA in 1968 and furthered his education in graduate school, earning Masters degrees in Education and School Administration. Dean went on to work at Garey High School as Director of Student Activities and English teacher and also taught English at Palomares Middle School before retiring in 2001 after a 33 year career in education. 

In 1980 Dean married his wife, Cindy, and in 1989 his life was, in his words, made complete with the birth of his son, Dean Jr.  Dean was a 47 year resident of Claremont, California, purchasing his home in Padua Hills in 1976.  He loved his Padua home but also spent time recreating at his Topock, Arizona residence near the Colorado River. He enjoyed boating, fishing, and exploring off road destinations in the desert. Dean was also a proud vet and member of the Topock VFW post where he ran weekly pool tournaments and held leadership roles. He also enjoyed many summer cross country motorhome excursions to destinations from Key West, Florida to upstate New York, with many trips to visit family in Wisconsin. 

Dean is survived by his wife, Cindy, son, Dean Jr., brothers Larry, Jeff, and Randy, and sisters Carolynn, Mary Rose, and Kandy.