January 29, 1938 — February 24, 2022
If ever a man could be described as leading a full, rich life, it was Dean Hurn. To many, he was larger than life; he constantly strived to succeed gloriously at whatever he set his mind to do. Running a business, raising a family, enjoying the world around him, Dean was always in the lead: building, achieving, succeeding.
Born in Everett, Washington on January 29, 1938, Dean grew up in Concrete, Washington. He served in the Army Military Police after high school. The highlight of his military career was guarding President Eisenhower at Augusta National Golf Course.
In 1956, Dean returned home to Concrete to work in the woods. He married his high school sweetheart Elaine Lucille Johnson on August 16, 1958, at Shephard of the Hills Lutheran Church. They began their life together in Concrete welcoming four children, Richard, Ron, Roger and Deborah. In 1965 they moved their family to Beaver, Washington to establish a cedar mill and completed their family with children, Robert and De Ann. Dean expanded his business into one of the largest forest products enterprises in the region. In business, there were setbacks. Dean seemed to hardly notice and kept on building.
Faith, family, and community defined his values and interests. Dean and Elaine were founders and lifetime supporters of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. As his family grew and prospered, Dean’s pride in their achievements was evident to all.
As life will inevitably present, there were tragedies as well. In 1976, Dean and Elaine lost their thirteen-year-old son, Roger, in a tragic accident. They embraced their faith and forged ahead, filling each moment of their life with love.
Dean and Elaine were at their happiest together, especially when cheering on their beloved UW Huskies and supporting their children and grandchildren in their sports and activities. They enjoyed winters in Indio, California, and spending summers on the farm and at the lake with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Dean was a great supporter of the West End communities. He was a lifetime member of the Forks Lions Club, serving more than 50 years, often contributing equipment and resources to community projects. A yearly project close to his heart was spearheading the maintenance of the Quillayute Cemetery every Memorial Day. He was active in and past president of the Olympic Logging Conference, Pacific Logging Conference, and Red Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, always supporting forest industry issues which he understood were the lifeblood of the community. Dean also served on the school board of Quillayute Valley School District.
Dean loved to hunt and fish. Whether it was goose hunting in Canada, rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, or deep-sea fishing in Central America, Dean loved sport and the company of his many friends.
Dean was driven to experience a vital and relevant life, always seeking to be at the center of things. Whenever Dean arrived at a Lions Club work party or at an operation in the woods, he always parked right in the middle of everything. Normally, this would be annoying. With Dean, it just brought a smile to your face as you thought, well, that’s just Dean. He was always so happy to be involved that you just had to smile with him.
Dean Richard Hurn is survived by his wife, Elaine, of sixty-three years and their children, Richard, Ron (Traci), Deborah, Robert (Erin), and De Ann, sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren as well as his brother Larry (Short) Hurn and sister Lois Coonc. Dean is preceded in death by his son, Roger, son-in-laws Tod Horton and Sam Gaydeski, and his brothers Roger, Jerry, and Alan.
Dean’s grandchildren remember their grandpa as a legend among men.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of Dean to the Forks Lions Club | PO BOX 1306, Forks, WA 98331
