Durward "Dean" Elbon, Jr.
Obituary
Durward "Dean" Elbon, Jr. was born in Columbus, Ohion on August 5, 1947 to Durward Dean Elbon, Sr., and Lola Mae (Reynolds) Elbon. Dean lived his first few years in Ohio before moving on an adventure to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dean was the oldest of 4 children. Dean attended Edison High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and furthered his education at NSU before entering into a career at the United Postal Service. During his work at the post office he met the love of his life, Jane Goodpasture. Jean and Dean were married in Tulsa on February 14, 1981.
Dean led a life full of laughter and love. Often know for being ornery, Dean was always quick-witted, willing to share a joke or make someone laugh. After suffering a brain injury more than 20 years ago, Dean never lost his charm or wit or ability to tell a good story. He loved to share stories "about the old days before there were air conditioners in Oklahoma", Hopping the fence to his apartment to go to the golf course to make money picking up cans or cleaning golf balls, or about visiting his uncle in Ohio during the summers. Even though he was quiet, Dean loved engaging with others and never knew a stranger. Dean was more of a "stay at home" kind of guy but loved traveling to Hawaii with his wife and daughter. Dean was always their number one fan and supporter.
Dean was preceded in death by his father, Durward Dean Elbon, Sr., mother, Lola Mae Elbon, wife Jane Elbon, sister, Nancy Langston, and granson Jordan.
Left to mourn Dean's death and give thanks for his life are his daughter Christa (Elbon) Turpin and son-in-law Matt Turpin of Tulsa, daughter Anne (Elbon) Cotton of Broken Arrow, son, Michael Elbon of Wagoner, sister, Jennifer Elbon-Smith of Jenk, brother, Brett Elbon and sister-in-law Sandra Elbon of Tulsa, nieces Jennifer (Langston) Brackett, Brennan Smith, Grace Greer Elbon and nephew Dakota Smith.
Events
Tributes & Memories
I made this private as I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Elbon, Jr. - but I did know Jane. Jane and I worked together many many years ago at The Phone Company - Southwestern Bell on Detroit. We were long distance operators. Dial ZERO and you reached us. We were hired at the same time and went thru training together. Tough training - but Jane breezed thru it. She wanted to be "turned loose" and get to the call boards and handle "real" calls. (It was a rush, I have to admit.) I just wrote because knowing Jane was an experience. I noticed Mr. Elbon, Jr.'s obituary and the name GOODPASTURE jumped out at me. I normally don't see a paper, but maybe I was meant to. I know, personally, that I enjoy hearing stories about loved ones that have gone on before me - I really like the "early days" stories Jane was fun to know. As I said, the training was tough - and strict. But Jane always reasoned we could make it from downtown, to Peoria to eat at Pennington's, get back to Detroit and find a parking place all in an hour. We were late. And we should've been kicked out of training at that point - but we were the stars of the class. We received a stern warning! We weren't late again. I didn't know Jane for a long time, but it was enjoyable. We trained in May-June 1970. I left the following year. We stayed in touch for a while but as so often happens, we let it drop. I regret that. I can only imagine that Jane and Dean enjoyed each others' company very much. She had a smiling spirit and it sounds as though Mr. Elbon, Jr. did as well. For those of you left, I sympathize with you for your loss, but it seems Mr. Elbon, Jr. was a smiling, laughing spirit himself and I'm sure he was a treasured loved one. I hope Jane is well-remembered as well. In prayers for you, Leta Strutton
Leta Brown Strutton
Lit a candle in memory of Durward "Dean" Elbon, Jr.
Tim Gribben
Brett, I am sorry for your loss. I only met Dean a couple of times, but he seemed like a great guy.. Tim
Tim Gribben