With heavy hearts, but so much love and gratitude for the life he lived, the family of James Keith Dean Sr. shares that he passed away on October 31, 2026, in Hurricane, Utah, at the age of 96.

Jim was born on February 23, 1930, in Stockton, California, to James Harvey Gilson and Mayme Lucille Coleman. His mother later married Harry Don Dean, and Jim eventually took the Dean family name.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine Wise Dean; his son, James Dean Jr.; his brother, Robert D. Dean; and his sister, Lois Eloise Jensen.

Jim’s life was defined by curiosity, adventure, ingenuity, and an eagerness to experience all that life had to offer.

During the Great Depression, Jim’s uncle, Abner Cevey, served as a superintendent with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), overseeing the construction of trails in the Grand Canyon. At just 11 years old, Jim went to live with his uncle there. He spent his childhood exploring the canyon and the Colorado River with his friends, running its trails and developing a lifelong love of adventure and the outdoors.

At age 19, Jim joined the United States Air Force and moved to San Antonio, Texas. There he met and married Jeanne McMillan, a nursing student. They had a son and daughter before later divorcing. Jim served during the Korean War in the Azores Islands, where he developed a passion for aviation and informally learned to fly.

After returning to the United States, Jim studied chemistry and mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin before returning to San Antonio. He began a long and distinguished career at Southwest Research Institute, where he made important contributions to the fields of science and engineering. Among his many accomplishments, he played a key role in developing safer and more effective methods for removing asbestos from submarines.

Jim’s professional achievements eventually led him to become president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the advancement of aerospace. Aviation and engineering were not simply careers to Jim—they were passions. He loved the work he did and the people he worked with, remaining with Southwest Research Institute for 39 years before retiring.

In 1972, Jim married Catherine Ann Wise, the love of his life. Together they shared a life filled with travel, adventure, family, and countless memories. They traveled extensively in their motorhome, visiting much of the United States from Nova Scotia to San Diego. Alaska was their favorite destination, and they returned many times, always finding something new to explore.

Jim was naturally curious and loved meeting people. He had an energetic personality, was highly social, and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a reader, gardener, pilot, engineer, fisherman, traveler, skier, hunter, inventor, and tinkerer. Most of all, he was someone who never stopped wondering what was around the next corner, a true “idea guy”, always coming up with ways to make things better and life a little easier. One of his many inventions was a pulley system that allowed him to move a bird feeder away from the deck so that birdseed would not fall onto it, then bring it back in to refill it—a perfect example of his practical creativity and ingenuity.

Jim devoted himself to caring for Catherine after she developed Alzheimer’s disease, lovingly looking after her until her death in 2023. His devotion to her was a beautiful reflection of the love they shared throughout their marriage.

Jim will be deeply missed by his daughter, Melissa “Missy” Long, and her husband, Carson Long; grandson James “Jay” Long and his wife, Vanessa Long; grandson Nicholas Long and his wife, Bobbie Long; and his five great-grandchildren, Corbin, Kendyll, Liam, Mason, and Nolan Long.

In his later years, Jim lived at The Haven at Sky Mountain, an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community near his daughter in Southern Utah. During his time there, he formed wonderful friendships, shared many laughs, and enjoyed countless good times and meaningful moments with those around him. The friendships and memories he made at The Haven became a special part of his life.

Jim lived a remarkable 96 years—filled with exploration, discovery, accomplishment, love, family, and an endless curiosity about the world around him. He was an adventurer, engineer, inventor, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Most of all, he was someone who never stopped wondering what was around the next corner.

His family is grateful for the extraordinary life he lived and for the many people whose lives he touched along the way. His stories, his ideas, his sense of adventure, and his love for his family will live on in those who knew and loved him.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to his friends at The Haven and to the dedicated staff who cared for him with kindness and compassion. They are equally grateful to Dixie Hospice for their

compassionate care, kindness, and support, which brought comfort to him and his family.

He and his beloved wife, Cathy, will be reunited in rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, at a later date.

A celebration of life will be held at The Haven at Sky Mountain on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.