Dean G. Kauffman, 83, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017 following a brief illness. Memorial Service: 10:00 am, Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Dido Community Center in Dido, Texas.
Dean was born in Princeton, Nebraska on August 9, 1934 to the late, Raymond and Esther (Soss) Kauffman. He was a Texas native at heart and entered the US Navy in Houston in 1952. He was assigned to the 8th Naval District in New Orleans, Louisiana and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. During his stay in the military he trained in electrical plant operation, maintenance and repair, which led him to his career after his honorable discharge in 1956.
He was married to Lillian LaVaun (Vonnie) Kauffman, who was born May 19, 1937 in Portland, Oregon. They would share 56 years of their lives together, well beyond their Golden Aniversary. Dean and Vonnie lived most of the lives in the Eagle Mountain Lake community of Dido, Texas. Dean worked for Texas Electric company and Vonnie worked in purchasing for the city of Fort Worth. Dean was an avid motorcyclist and he and Vonnie traveled as far as Alaska, Nova Scotia, Mexico and Europe. After his last trip on motorcycle, he had traveled over one million miles. Vonnie was with him all the way, save a trip to the 1996 Olympics, when he was a part of the bicycle races to carry the camera crew. Dean retired from TXU Electric after 35 years of loyal service and Vonnie from the city of Fort Worth. In retirement, they served as active volunteers for the Bass Hall of Performing Arts and the Bass Hall Children’s education program.
Following Vonnie’s death in 2011, Dean moved to Pearland, Texas to be closer to his son, Garrett. Be became active at the Knapp Center for senior citizens where he met Mercedes. They married in 2015.
He leaves behind his wife; son, Garrett Kauffman and wife, Chari; grandsons, Zachary and Benjamin Kauffman; granddaughter, Amber Gonzales and great-grandson, Brandon Jenkins, who he loved like a daughter and grandchild; granddaughter, Fay “Annie” Foster and her daughters, Kinzey and Danika Siharath.
Dean will truly be missed by our family. The most special memories of him will forever linger in our hearts and in those of his friends who loved him.
