Larry W. Dean

Larry W. Dean, 64, of New Braunfels, Texas passed away Friday, October 31, 2014 in New Braunfels.


He was born June 29, 1950 in Ballinger, Texas to George W. (Bill) and Corene Dean of Ballinger. After graduating from Ballinger High School in 1968, Larry attended Angelo State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1976.


Following college, Larry was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in November 1977. After leaving the Marines he founded Dean’s Aerial Spraying, and worked as a contract crop duster for farmers in Runnels and the surrounding counties.

In May of 1980 Larry started working as a contract pilot flying Learjets for General Telephone Electric (GTE) in San Angelo. Larry welcomed the arrival of his daughter Alyson Dyan in August of that year. By early 1981 he was hired on full-time and spent the next 15 years with GTE flying Lear 25s, 35s and 55s. Larry left GTE in 1995 when he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming an airline pilot. He was hired by Southwest Airlines and worked for them flying Boeing 737’s until the time of his death.

Larry had a lifetime love of flying, starting when he was a small boy. In high school he spent his summers working as a flagger for another aerial sprayer, Joe Freeman, and dreamed of becoming of a pilot some day. As his dreams came true, he never lost his love of aviation and had hoped to someday own his own private plane.

Larry is preceded in death by his father, Bill and very special grandparents.

He is survived by his mother, Corene; his daughter Alyson Harris and husband James, of Georgetown, Kentucky; grandchildren Caleb Strube, Peyton Harris, and expected in April, Eli Harris. Other survivors include his aunt Mary Rice; aunt Christine Ellis; and aunt Martha Palmer and family. His surviving cousins include Danny, Sonny, Janet, Linda, Debbie, Susan and Herb. Numerous other family and friends mourn his passing.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 11:00 am at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger followed by burial at Old Runnels Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the EAA Young Eagles program, at https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-education-and-resources/eaa-youth-education/eaa-young-eagles-program. Young Eagles is a program that teaches youth about flying and encourages their love of aviation.