Gary J. Dean

Gary Johnston Dean was born October 6, 1940, in Oklahoma City, to Robert L. Dean, and Lula Johnston Dean. He passed away on October 29, 2024, at the age of 84 years in Pryor, Oklahoma. Gary was a 1958 graduate of Central High School in Oklahoma City. He attended the University of Oklahoma receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1964. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1966 with his Juris Doctorate. Upon graduation, he moved to Pryor, Oklahoma and served as an associate for the late great Tony Jack Lyons. They formed the Lyons & Dean partnership two years later. Gary participated in the trials of thirty-eight homicide or murder cases during the partnership. His most famous and significant case was the first trial in Oklahoma that established domestic abuse as a defense against murder. In 1982, Gary established a solo law practice that included criminal, corporate, civil and family law. During that time, he developed a love for domestic relations law, handling many divorces, child custody, and modification cases. He joined the Family Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) and became its Secretary in 1992. Under Gary’s leadership, the Family Law Section grew from 615 members to 1,500 in just five years and became the largest Section of the OBA. He was elected President of the section in 1998. In that year he received the Bar’s highest award, the Presidential Citation, for his work with the Family Law group. He was also active in the OBA Solo Small Firm Section and a Fellow of the Young Lawyers. Effective January 1, 1999, Gary was appointed as a Special District Judge for the 12 th Judicial District of Oklahoma, handling criminal and domestic matters. He served in Mayes, Rogers, and Craig Counties until his retirement in 2010. In 2015 he resumed practicing law part-time and continued until February 2024. He practiced law for 58 years. Dean was active in community events all during his time in Pryor. He was a member and supporter of the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce, a 40-year active member of the Pryor Lions Club, and the founding President of the Pryor Area Arts and Humanities Council. He served several years as Secretary of the Mayes County Bar Association and for two terms as President. He was the General Council of Pryor’s Municipal Utility Board (MUB) for 30 years. One of his most notable pieces of work with MUB was appearing before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to secure a new natural gas rate for the City of Pryor, which resulted in $500,000 in annual savings for the community’s residents. In 2015 Gary joined the Rotary Club of Pryor and was involved in various projects. A particular point of pride and joy for him, which he shared with Tracey, was their participation in the Rotary District 6110’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). He was also an active member of St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church.

Gary is survived by his wife Tracey Wallack Dean of the home, children Mark Dean and spouse Mark Janse of Bourne, TX, Richard Dean and wife Leandra of Colorado Springs, CO and daughter Kelly Dean. Grandchildren Lindsay Mosser and husband Shane, Natalie and Addison Dean of Colorado Springs, CO. Nephews Robert Dean and Noah Dean, cousins Peggy & Shawna Cowsar of Houston, TX. Mother-in-law Chelley H. Wallack of Tulsa, OK. Sister-in-law Kelly Brixey and husband Sam of Chandler, Ok and their children Paul and wife Leanna Brixey, Chandler, OK and godson David Brixey of Claremore, OK. He is also survived by special stepchildren Kim Moore and Michael Shane Alls of Ft. Myers, FL and Marla David Jones and daughter Courtney Jones of Tulsa, OK. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Lula Dean, brother Robert L. Dean and mother and father-in-law Barbara A. Wallack and Robert D. Wallack.

Until the end, Gary kept his sharp wit and dry sense of humor. He never passed on the opportunity to own the latest tech gadget. He will be missed by Amazon delivery, those in the community he served, and the family he loved. Boomer Sooner.

A memorial service will be held on December 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Rotary District 6110 RYLA, 7122 S Sheridan, Suite 2-162, Tulsa, OK 74133 or St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 620 SE First St., Pryor, OK.