Dean Milton Kirkman, 93, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020, at The Windsor of Lawrence, KS.
Dean was born in Linwood, KS on March 26, 1927, to George and Alma Kirkman. When he turned 18 in 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Philippines in the Pacific.
He married Johanna Coleman, a long time childhood friend from Linwood in September 1949. They had a daughter, Deana. She survives. Johanna passed away in October 2000 after 51 years of marriage.
Dean worked from 1949 until his retirement as the rural U.S. mail carrier for the Linwood area. He loved driving the mail route and experiencing the changing seasons. Dean traveled every summer with his family to many different states to visit relatives and friends. He enjoyed watching football and basketball games at Linwood High School. He played on the town basketball team for several years, coached girls’ softball and later enjoyed watching friends play slow pitch softball in Bonner Springs. He bowled on several teams in Lawrence from 1963 until the early 2000s. In 1988, Dean and Johanna moved to Lawrence to live closer to their daughter, Deana and her family. They joined First Baptist Church and were active members there for many years.
Dean married Patsy Anderson in January 2004. She survives. Other survivors are a grandson, Scott Bowen (Jarinthorn), Bangkok, Thailand, Kelly Bowen (Torrie Fassnacht), Lawrence, three great grandchildren: Koby Owen, Jonah Owen and Dylan Fassnacht all of Lawrence.
No public service is planned. A private gathering will take place at a later date.
