WCA/RW/RC/NWA Capt. Dean Cyrus Puckett

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, WCA/RW/RC/NWA Capt. Dean Cyrus Puckett

November 29, 1940 ~ October 16, 2024

 

 

PCN memorial site: 

 Funeral home website:  https://www.lemleychapel.com/memorials/dean-cyrus-puckett-2/

 

 

Obituary : Dean Cyrus Puckett

Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, WA)

 

Sedro-Woolley WA - - - - Dean Cyrus Puckett, age 83, passed away October 16, 2024 in Mount Vernon, Washington. He was born November 29, 1940, in Bowman, North Dakota to Raymond C. and Ida (Monson) Puckett. Growing up on a farm, he attended grade school 1 thru 8 at a country school, three years at Bowman High School then moved to Kent, WA, graduating from Kent Meridian in 1958. The summer of that year, he worked on family farm, then two years college at ND School of Forestry, receiving an Associate of Science Degree. The following year, he worked for Boeing on Minuteman Missile as an Expediter. The summer of 1961, he did custom combining in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Missing ND, he took a job building elevators at Scranton, ND.

 

In April of 1962, Dean's airline career started as a pre-flight Marine Aviation Cadet, Pensacola, Florida. In 1963, he was promoted to 2nd Lt USMCR, deployed to Puerto Rico and Yuma, AZ, then on to Republic of Vietnam. He flew 225 combat missions thru October of 1966 receiving 13 air medals. In 1966, he went on to Beaufort, SC, served as logistics officer with Marine Aircraft Group 31, was released from active duty and moved to Seattle and attended University of WA studying Geography. He was hired by West Coast Airlines merging with Airwest, Inc. In 1968, married Kathy Hvizdos (divorcing in 1982), having one son, Josh Puckett. Dean then attended Western WA State College in Bellingham getting a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. 1971 took him to NAS Whidbey flying C119's and CH46 Helicopters. By 1975 he was off to Saudi Arabia to fly F27 Capt. of Hughes Airwest. In 1977, he was back to NAS Whidbey where he remained on Reserve until retiring in 1982 after 20 years, then staying with Republic Airlines until merging with Northwest, which is now Delta, flying DC9s and MD82 and completing his career on B757 in the year 2000.

 

Dean married Marion Taxdahl in 1994 and spent many years of great retirement camping to ND visiting family and friends and helping with the Harvest. Dean and Marion also traveled the states to do Volks Walking connected with Over the Hill Club, and several trips overseas. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting with friends and family and also working on the property at home, becoming quite an equipment operator after flying. Another passion was Bluegrass music, singing in the "Joyful Noise" band for many years as bass singer. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church and worked with the men's group for yard maintenance.

 

Dean is survived by his wife, Marion Taxdahl-Puckett; son, Josh (Tina) Puckett; stepson, Allen (Kimberley) Taxdahl; sister, Roberta (Gary) Treier; sisters and brothers in law, Loretta Puckett, Carol Taxdahl, Roger (Judy) Taxdahl, Donald (Mary Ann) Urness; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Ida Puckett; brothers, David and Jim Puckett.

 

Special thanks to the many friends and family and medical staff that have given us much support through many years.

 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00, Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1006 Wicker Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA, Pastor Darrell Schoen presiding, with a reception to follow at the church dining room. Dean's final resting place is at Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn, WA. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Share your memories of Dean and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com