Wilmer Dean Earhart, lovingly known as “Deano”, 74 of Waco, died at his home on Sunday, July 3, 2016.
Celebration of Life: Monday, July 11, 2016 at 2:00PM at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend, Waco.
Deano was born September 22, 1941 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to the late Arlon Rufus and Mildred Louise Hester Earhart. After graduating from University High School, class of 1960, he attended University of Texas. Deano was a true entrepreneur, starting his first money making business at the age of 12, when he bought a bicycle and began selling ice cream. His business grew so fast and so large he bought his brother a bicycle and gave him a cut of the profits. From that point on, Deano had several successful businesses including an Entertainment DJ, a Booking Agent for some major stars of the day, a mobile home business, producing the “Auto Expo” magazine for over 12 years and most recently Earhart Productions, which put on many classic car shows, auctions and swap meets. Deano truly had a passion for conducting what he called “Solid Business”. Everyone that knew Deano knew that he had a loving generous heart and would do anything for anyone. He loved to entertain and make people happy. His family was his passion; he dearly loved to be with them and enjoyed making big breakfasts for them. Deano is preceded in death by his parents, Arlon and Mildred Earhart; and his daughter, Deanna Earhart.
Deano will be remembered with deep love and admiration by his loving wife of 23 years, Reecé Geren Earhart; his children, Graci DeArmond and her husband David, Jancy Elaine Edwards, Jason Earhart and his wife Shelly and Steven Geren and his wife Amy; sister, Carolyn Austin and her husband James; brother, Gary Earhart and his wife Teresa; grandchildren, Destiny Beukers, Easton Earhart, Alexandra Earhart, Preston Geren, Greyson Geren, and Asher Geren; along with a host of other loving family members and friends.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
REECE, YOUR BIGGEST ADMIRER HAS SLIPPED AWAY FROM US. WHAT A GUY. HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION ON SATURDAY AT 3:30 PM. SHARED A LAUGH OR TWO AND MADE A COMPACT TO MAKE IT TO OUR REUNION IN 2020. NOW, HE IS WAITING ON US TO MAKE THAT GREAT REUNION WE ALL STRIVE TO SEE. I KNOW YOU WILL MISS HIM SO MUCH……WE ALL WILL. TAKE CARE
Wilmer and I attended University High School together. We spent a lot of time visiting at the recent reunion. He was a wonderful person. May the Lord bless his family and give them peace and comfort.
Wilmer Dean will be missed by so many. Heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Barbara Courtney Beard
Our 2 year old son loved when “Mr. Dean” would take him on rides in his golf cart around the neighborhood. Dean’s kindness and big heart were evident in those visits, which we treasured. Mr. Dean was loved, and will be missed.
Reece, our heart bleeds for you & the family.
Reece and family, I’m so sorry for your loss Dean was one of the good guys. He’ll be dearly missed. My sincerest condolences to you all.
Reece we will all miss dean so much, most of all we are so sorry for your loss!!!We did not have your phone number or address for we would have called you!! Prayers for you and all of deans family!!!
Dean was one of the best men I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with . Every time I saw him he immediately asked about the family and how everyone was doing. It was always about everyone else. So sorry for the family’s loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you..
Reece sorry to hear about Deano. He was always so happy and I enjoyed the good times visting with both of you at a club called crying shame. I never made it back to Waco after my retirement from Waco Fire Department and still live in Germany so cannot make funeral. George Paulk from Waco and all of us had some great times. I will never forget Deano and his happy spirit!!
My wife Sandy says in judging a person few remember what the person said or did. What you remember is how they made you feel. Dean had a gift in that department. On occasion we were honored to go out for dinner with Dean but most of our association was at the swap meets. Dean would spot us coming down an isle and start shouting and waving for us to come see him. He would ask for a new joke and then laugh as he had never heard it before. Dean was a good story teller but an even better listener. He had a way of making everyone feel special. We loved you big guy. You are gone but never forgotten.
With deepest regrets to the Earhart Family. I had the pleasure of working with Dean when he got into cars, AutoExpo, auctions and car shows (during Estates Drive days). I had the honor of driving many classic and collectible vehicles during my tenure with him. A great man. Always a smile. I will greatly miss him.
Reecie, Jason & family, my deepest sympathy for your tremendous loss. Deano will be missed by many, but none more so than you. I wish I had words to bring you comfort.
Deano was a great guy. I loved his sense of humor& will forever cherish the times Reecie & I had him so tickled he couldn’t stop laughiing. It fills me with sadness to say goodbye.
Thanks, Deano, for the stories, the laughs, the grilled wings, your friendship, & the fond memories you left with me.
Solid business my friend.
Speaking as a member of the U.H.S. Class of 1960, please know that we loved, laughed with and appreciated “Wilmer Dean.” Last month’s class reunion was an outstanding example of the successful culmination of his work with the 1960 and ’61 committees. Rather than concentrate on his loss, hopefully our classmates will think of that gathering as a grand going-away party for our long-time friend. Condolences to the family as we morn with you the loss of a great friend and genuinely good guy.
So Sorry for your loss may God bless and be with you all at this sad time.
Reece, It was my great fortune to get to know you and Deano over the last several years. It always made my day better when y’all would come into Salty Dog. I don’t begin to have the words to properly convey my sorrow for you and the rest of your family. Dean was one of the people I will always have found memories of. I’m sorry I won’t be able to make his service but I wanted you to know that I’am thinking of you and when I do get back to town I will make sure to catch up with you.
Reece and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Deano. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time.
DEAN …Was a really a great Friend, he made going to his events a pleasure, the Automobile world will miss this Good Man.
I met Dean when my mom was pregnant with me 55 years ago, He has been a father figure , mentor, and best friend ever since. He taught me about life, he taught me about business. He was always smiling and a pleasure to around laughing and joking all the time. I am a better man for knowing him. He will be missed every single day.
Wilmer and I attended school and ran together at University. We had some good times. I came back from Vietnam and bought a mobile home from him. Then we met each other again at Salado when my son and Jason played ball. Over the years I have attended many car shows and swap meets where we ran into each other again. I will miss him. My condolences to Jason and all his friends and family. He was truly one of a kind.
UHS class of ’60: we’ll all miss Wilber Dean on this earth but be joyful with him in heaven. Always working to set up our reunions. I will remember him as an easy going, easy to like and enjoyful person. Just simply a great guy to be around. Prayers for God’s comfort to the family in this time of grieving.
Deano is a great friend who will truly be missed! His extraordinary personality always made everyone laugh. Wherever he was, a good time would be had by all!!! He had a great heart and a strong faith that influenced everyone he touched. He always made everyone feel welcomed and loved to entertain, and that laugh……like no other. Cheers Deano!!! We should all toast a glass to him and the fond memories we will always cherish. That’s what he would want us to do!!
Reece, just know that we are here for you! There are still good times to be had!!!
I had the privilege of meeting Dean way back in the early 70’s. He and I talked about classic/collectible older cars, and really hit it off. Later on I went by his Car Lot(I do not remember where it was)and talked to him. About this time he had decided to just collect/save his cars and not sell them. I changed jobs and lost contact with him. I am very sorry to see/read of his passing. He was a good guy/gentleman, and a friend. May GOD be with Dean’s Family and many friends. GOD has gained a great man in Heaven. And I have been greatly blessed to have had Dean in my life. Again, GOD bless ‘all’ of you.
I am so sorry to read this. I did not know Dean very well but we would sometimes sit down in the food court and visit after walking… I pray that you recover quickly from such a loss and may God ease your pain… God Bless