Hubert Dean Elliott Obituary (1929 - 2016)

Hubert Dean Elliott (Dean) passed away Friday September 2, 2016 at his home in Prairie City, Oregon, just after his 87th birthday. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on October 15, 2016 at the Grant County Senior Center, 142 NE Dayton Street, John Day, Oregon. Dean was born in Goshen Oregon on August 31, 1929 to Wayne Eugene and Thelma Elvira Lawson Elliott. Dean attended Edenvale School, Lincoln Grade School, and later Springfield High School where he graduated in 1948. He played baseball and football during his school years.Dean drove a dump truck and worked for Intercity Sand and Gravel when he was sent on a job to Lakeview, Oregon in 1949. This is where he met the love of his life, Betty June Sanders. They were married on December 24, 1949. Dean and Betty had three children. Ricky Dean was born August 8, 1951; Wayne LeRoy was born April 1, 1954; Karen Danette was born February 16, 1960. The family lived in Lakeview until the spring of 1963 when Dean bought the John Day Union Oil Distributorship and delivered oil and gas throughout Grant, Harney, and Baker Counties until 1973. During this time he became a furnace repairman as well. In 1973 Dean bought the John Day drive-in theatre, later named the Wilderness Drive-In Theatre. He built an indoor theatre at the same location and the family operated them for 26 years. Another icon in Grant County was also owned by Dean and Betty. In 1978 they started the Grizzly Bear Pizza Parlour on Main Street in John Day. A few years later they converted the Grizzly Bear franchise to Gold Town Pizza, which they owned and operated until 1996. While operating the theatres and pizza parlour in John Day, Dean also purchased and operated two theatres in Burns, Oregon, converting one to a restaurant. As if that wasn't enough to keep him busy, he also drove a lumber truck and log truck. Dean was very active in the local community. He painted murals, sang and acted during '62 days and other community functions, refereed basketball games, and coached baseball. He was President of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, and in 1976 carried the Bi-Centennial torch, running through John Day. He played the guitar and sang country music with local bands. Dean was active with the Grant County Search and Rescue for many years, and was a deputy with the Grant County Sheriff's Department for 42 years. He was on the board of the John Day Rural Fire Protection District and most recently was instrumental in their efforts to build a new fire station in John Day. Dean lived in John Day and Canyon City for 53 years, and the long-time family home burned to the ground in the Canyon Complex fire, August 14, 2015. After the fire Dean and Betty relocated to Prairie City, Oregon. Dean loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter his entire life. All of his trophies burned in the 2015 fire, but his big horn ram head is on display in the John Day branch of US Bank. In 1954 Dean took up bow hunting, and his favorite place to hunt was Hart Mountain. He began writing stories about his hunts and in 1955 was featured in Archery Magazine. He had a knack for telling stories, and in 1999 published his first book "Grampa Dean's Hunting Adventures". In December 2015 his second book "Grampa Dean's Outdoor Adventures with Family & Friends" was published. Sadly, there were more books he was working on that were burned in the August 2015 fire. The Elliott home was open to anyone needing love and attention, and over the years they housed foster children, grandchildren, nieces, and many friends and relatives. Dean never knew a stranger. He could visit and tell stories with anyone. He loved to watch sports, especially football, baseball, basketball, and rodeo. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Thelma Elliott and his son Wayne Elliott. Survivors include his wife, Betty June Elliott; son, Ricky Dean Elliott; daughter, Karen Danette Schulz (Marty); sister, Connie Staton; daughter-in-law, Nancy Elliott; grandsons Bill Elliott, Isaac Liberty, Dustin Elliott, Sean Castle, and Brock Wilson; granddaughter, Asia Richardson; great-grandchildren, and four nieces. Dean was proud of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his nieces. Above all, Dean loved his wife Betty with all of his heart. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day Fire Station fund, Grant County Search and Rescue, Ranch Rodeo Museum, or Blue Mountain Hospice through Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845