Richard Dean Bass, age 87, of Temple, Texas passed to the arms of Jesus on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 9:55 a.m. at Scott & White Medical Center in Temple.
Services will be Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Coleman with Bro. David McLean officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors by United States Air Force, Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard. Services are under the direction and care of Henderson Funeral Home of Coleman.
Dean was born April 8, 1936 in Killeen, Texas to Richard Dick and Rosa Mae Griffin Bass. He was raised in Santa Anna graduating from Santa Anna High School in 1954 and then received a Bachelor of Education from Howard Payne University, walking across the stage the same day as his son Richard. He received his Masters of Education from Tarleton State University. He was baptized as a youth on the same day as his father and is currently a member of the Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church of Temple, Texas. Dean is a 50 year member of the Masonic Mountain Lodge #661, Scottish Rite Mason 32nd Degree and York Rite Mason. At the age of 17 he enlisted in Texas National Guard in Tank Company 147 Regiment, 36th Division. His mother had to sign for him to join. On January 4, 1955 Dean enlisted in the United States Air Force serving his country until retirement in November, 1975 at the rank of Master Sergeant. He held 2 jobs while serving: communications for most of his career and later was an instructor of Air Training Command. He was stationed in Germany at Hahn Air Force Base from 1959-1962, Sembach Air Force Base from 1966-1969. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1970.
On June 1, 1982 he married the love of his life Suzanne Renegar in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston Post Chapel chosen because both their fathers had been stationed at Ft Sam. They celebrated 35 years of marriage with Susie preceding him in death in 2017. He enjoyed writing stories and sharing them with others. He loved to travel and especially loved Bavaria, Germany. He also collected Southwestern art and artifacts.
After retiring from the military, he worked as a teacher and coach in several Texas school districts. His last civilian job was Superintendent of Schools, for Santa Anna Independent School District. He was a track and field official for Texas Relays and officiated college track and field events all over the country. He was voted the outstanding lineman and MVP of his team in the German Sports District when he played for Hahn Air Force Base in Germany. His team played against other military bases in Germany. He had 23 unassisted Tackles in one game. He played 14 total years of football counting jr. high, high school and in the military. In 1956 he played softball for Lackland Air Force Base and his team won the base championship.
Dean is survived by son Richard Clay Bass & wife Dava; son Wade Bass & wife Mary; son Joe Bass & wife Sheila; son James Bass & wife Robin; daughter Suwanee Smith; daughter Lucinda Price, daughter Robin Roberts; son Bill Smith & wife Kathy, brother-in-law John Hensley & wife Peggy and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, nieces and cousins.
Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife Suzanne Renegar Bass; father Richard Dick Bass, mother Rosa Mae Bass, father-in-law John Hensley, brother James Bennie Bass, sister-in-law, Frances Bass, and son-in-law Ken Roberts.
