Dekoven 'D.C.' Dean, former Springfield businessman and deputy, dies at 90

Dekoven "D.C." Dean, a former businessman, law enforcement officer, ball player and pillar of Springfield's Black community died Sunday at the age of 90.

Dean died in his northside home in the company of family, including Barbara, his wife of 63 years.

Dean was perhaps best known for operating Rudy's Barbecue, his wife's family business, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

In a 2018 interview with the News-Leader, Dean described some other roles he held during his life — including being a Greene County Sheriff's Office deputy, playing minor league baseball, cooking food at the Shady Inn and managing the RC Cola bottling plant on Benton Avenue.

"When I look back at things, I'm happy because I have made quite a few people happy and that is a big goal in my life," Dean said in that 2018 interview.

Dean was a member of Lincoln School's Class of 1954 and a father of three children. In 2018, Dean said his top priority as a father was to teach his children to be honest and straightforward.

More:Pokin Around: Questions and answers with D.C. Dean, starting with, What's 'D' stand for?

Aaron Owen, general manager of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, recalled that Dean was happy to get his children and grandchildren involved with the Rudy's Barbecue operation during the fair.

"It was a family deal for them each and every summer," Owen said.

Owen said Dean had a great reputation in the community, and his barbecue was a big draw to the fairgrounds.

"They were a long-term staple here," Owen said. "People came here to enjoy the ribs ... They were here many, many years."

Wes Pratt grew up as neighbors with the Dean family and described D.C. Dean as kind, considerate and encouraging.

"D.C. was a man's man," Pratt said.

Pratt said he had fond memories of cookouts in Dean's backyard. Pratt said Dean had a positive and lasting impact on the community by living his life with class, dignity and a strong work ethic.

"I think that's why people are really saddened by his passing," Pratt said. "People like D.C. don't come along that often. I am sad that he's gone, but I'll never forget D.C."

Barbara Dean, D.C.'s wife, recalls that when they first started talking, her parents were too strict to let her ride in a car with boys, so D.C. would drive slowly next to her as she walked home.

Eventually things progressed to date nights at the stock car races, marriage, kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and more than 60 "wonderful" years together.

"He was a good dad, good husband, good friend," Barbara Dean said. "He was great. I never, ever saw him get mad or upset."

Barbara Dean recalled that her husband was so gregarious and well-liked that they could not go anywhere without getting pulled into a conversation.

"We went on a cruise once and somebody knew him," Barbara Dean said. "I said 'I can’t take you nowhere.'"

Patricia Dean Burton, D.C.'s daughter, said that D.C. was active with Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church and came from a large family that will miss him dearly.

"He was special and loved by all of his family," Burton said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield businessman, former deputy Dekoven 'D.C.' Dean dies at 90