Dean Joseph Janes

Dean Joseph Janes, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 4, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was born April 24, 1943, the third son to Eldon and Velma Janes. He was so anxious to enter the world, he was delivered in the hallway of the old Logan hospital. Perhaps that initiative was useful when three additional brothers joined the family, resulting in many tag-team wrestling matches and sporting events. 

Dean grew up working on the farm alongside his brothers and parents, picking raspberries and dewberries and thinning beets. He attended schools in Providence and graduated from South Cache High School. 

Dean spent most of his time and energy on sports and hanging out with the guys.  However, there was a young girl in his neighborhood who had a secret crush on him.  This beautiful girl manipulated the dance lines so she would end up as Dean’s partner for the floor show of the Gold and Green ball.  Dean didn’t know it then, but a lifetime romance had begun. Linda and Dean dated prior to his LDS mission to Northern California, corresponded throughout his mission, and were engaged a year and a half after his return. The two married on June 8, 1966 in the Logan LDS Temple. Dean and Linda have been devoted to each other for almost 57 years. 

After their first year of marriage, the couple returned to an area of his mission, Sacramento, where they lived for five years and were blessed with two children, Troy and Tracy. Upon returning to Utah, three more daughters, Julie, Lori, and Tammy, and a son, Kevin, joined the family. Dean was an extraordinary father who loved his children and taught many of life’s lessons by example.
 
Dean earned a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Utah, both in Social Work. He had a 36-year career serving families and children in California and Utah. The last 20 years of his career, he served as an administrator for the State of Utah Family Services for Cache, Rich, and Box Elder counties where he formed many close friendships with his co-workers.  Dean was dedicated to protecting children and cared deeply about his work. 

Throughout his life, Dean was a valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was devoted to service. He served as a full-time missionary, stake missionary, stake mission president, and as bishop three times, in addition to many other callings.  Dean cared particularly about the widows and older members of his ward and continued to visit them regularly until he was no longer able. Dean and Linda served in the Greece Athens mission and completed five service missions at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Dean loved all things sports. He played on city softball teams and loved and supported USU football and basketball with season tickets every year. He enjoyed golfing and played every chance he could with his brothers and friends. He loved traveling a little less but still joined Linda on adventures and occasionally even enjoyed the trips! A favorite was attending musical shows in Branson, Missouri. 

Dean lived a full and beautiful life, caring, serving, and enjoying the people and experiences he had throughout. As Parkinson’s disease deteriorated his abilities, Linda was his devoted caretaker and was dedicated to caring for him until the end. Dean passed away attended by loved ones and the much-appreciated, loving care provided by the staff at Autumn Care and Sunshine Hospice.

Dean is survived by his loving wife Linda, children, Troy (Angie), Tracy (Mike), Julie, Lori (David), and Tammy (Rich), fourteen grandchildren, and his brothers, Lynn (Irma), Dale (Irene), Verl (D’on), and Kay (Allyson).  He was welcomed on the other side of the veil by his son Kevin, his parents, Eldon and Velma, his brother Clare, Linda’s parents, Darrell and Theone, and many of the friends and ward members he cared for throughout his life. 
 
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 9th at 12 pm at the Cobblestone 1st Ward chapel, 420 West 100 North in Providence. Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Wednesday, March 8th from 6 - 8 pm at White Pine Mortuary, 753 South 100 East in Logan, or prior to the service from  10 - 11:30 am at the Cobblestone 1st Ward building. Those wishing to offer their love and support to the family may visit https://my.gather.app/remember/dean-janes to leave notes of remembrance.

The service may be viewed via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85729345195