Dean Arthur Shepard

Dean Arthur Shepard, 75, passed away on July 10, 2025, in University Place, Washington. He was born on September 18, 1949, in Renton, Washington.

Dean graduated from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Washington, Class of 1968. He completed Communications School at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as an honor student and went on to attend a 15-week Non-Commissioned Officer School, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. Drafted in October 1968, Dean proudly served as a Sergeant E-5 in Communications and Crypto (“Radioman”). After his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington State College in 1976, majoring in Special Education with a minor in Physical Education.

Dean taught for over 30 years in the Tacoma School District, with assignments at Mcilvaigh Middle School, Foss High School, Lincoln High School, and Hunt Middle School. He was a passionate and dedicated educator, known for his ability to connect with students. He also coached football and track and field at Foss High School, coached football and wrestling at Mcilvaigh Middle School and supervised Special Olympic games at Lincoln Bowl in the early 1990s. Even after retiring from full-time teaching, Dean continued to substitute teach for another five years.

He was honored four times as the Most Influential Teacher by Indian Education students, was a semi-finalist for the Walt Disney Teacher of the Year Award, and was named Coach of the Year in both 1981 and 1982.

Dean was also a talented rugby player in his younger years and a Master Bridge player. He made friends everywhere he went—known for his generosity, sense of humor, and gift for conversation. In later years, he enjoyed teaching water aerobics and playing water volleyball with friends at the YMCA. He also loved challenging others at poker, cribbage, and card games.

He enjoyed dancing and listening to oldies—especially Elvis Presley. Dean was a devoted fan of classic television, particularly Westerns. He admired John Wayne and had an impressive memory for actors’ names and movie trivia. Watching old Westerns brought him joy, and he loved sharing fun facts about the stars and stories behind the scenes.

A long-time blood donor with Cascade Regional Blood Services, Dean received the “1 Galloneer” award in 2014 and continued to donate regularly afterward.

Dean was preceded in death by his mother, Eva Diane Shepard, and his father, David Shepard. He is survived by his wife, Rachael Costner; his former wife of 25 years, Patti Shepard, with whom he shared two sons, David Douglas Shepard and Michael Stewart Shepard. He is also survived by his sister, Wanda Curtiss, and his twin brothers, Michael Grady Shepard and David Patrick Shepard.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dean Arthur Shepard, please visit our floral store.