Services for Burl Dean Davis, 84, of rural Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Ks., with his nephew, Gary Halford, officiating. Burial will take place graveside in Udall, MO Friday 23, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Dean died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Saint Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by his family.
He was born July 9, 1940, in Ozark County, Mo, the son of Carl Davis and Beryl Dean. He grew up learning how to fish, hunt, and grow a bountiful garden from his father, Carl. Once he graduated from Bakersville high school, he began his long, successful career building the world we’ve come to know today. His first major project of note was building the Pomme De Terre Dam.
Dean married Dorothy Climer on March 27, 1960, in Mt. Pleasant, Mo. Together they packed up and moved from Missouri to Las Vegas, Nevada where Dean began working for his Uncle Norman Dean as a roofer during the boom of the Las Vegas strip. During their time in Las Vegas, Dean and Dorothy were blessed with their only son Larry Todd. Once they closed their chapter in Nevada, they moved closer to “down home” and settled in rural north Lawrence.
His life in Lawrence revolved around helping to raise his son, the Carpenter’s Union, and continue his career as a construction superintendent at Straub construction of Kansas City and later Harris construction of Lawrence. He took pride in his yearly garden and regularly competed with his daughter-in-law on who could grow the largest tomato each year, until her death in 2007.
Upon retirement he continued his talents of construction and carpentry by maintaining his homes and aided his son in the repair and addition of his home. He enjoyed his wife’s pies and company until her death in 2017. Additionally, he worked with his son on the small cattle and crop farm, rarely seen without his Kabota nearby. He spent his final days walking amongst the fence lines and trees, talking to the cattle, and enjoying meals with his family.
Dean is survived by his son Larry Todd and granddaughter Chantelle, both of rural Lawrence; as well as, his younger sister, Jessie Fasanella.
What a great guy Dean was. I enjoyed being one of his neighbors. Sorry for your loss Larry. God bless you and comfort you.
I’m sorry to hear of Dean’s passing. He was one of my favorite cousins. I haven’t forgotten those days in the fifties when I went to the one-room school in Udall.
Uncle Dean you will be missed. R. I. P. I love you
Rest in peace, neighbor.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Rest in peace my friend.