Dean Daniel Pefley
In Loving Memory
Dean Daniel Pefley
July 28, 1921 to March 31, 2014
Dean Daniel Pefley was born in St Paul, Nebraska, July 28, 1921. His was father Roy D. Pefley, his mother was Margaret Gainet Pefley. They moved to Billings Montana in 1929. Dean graduated from Billings High School in 1939. He came to Seattle Dec. 20, 1941 to go to work at Boeing Aircraft. Went to work for the Army Transport Service in March 1942 and worked as Government Military Cargo checker on Pier 39 until Sept. 1942 and then went to Prince Rupert in B.C. Canada for the Army Transport Service as a Chief Storekeeper of Ship stores at Army Pier. He then returned to Seattle in 1943 to work at Seems Drake-a construction Batallion supplier, then worked at Star Machinery in late 1943 until Febuary1978. He worked at Star Machinery as first assistant receiving Clerk, then parts Department manager, then in 1974 became export manager. After 35 years at Star Machinery he resigned and in August 10, 1978 and started his own company-Gateway Machinery Co. Inc., until he sold the company in August 1989. He was deeply loved my many of his family members and friends. Down below are some memories experienced by his family members and friends.
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Mary and family,
Your incredible care for Dean up to his last day, is immeasurable. Know that he is at peace and how much he appreciated you.
Mary and family,
So sorry to hear about Dean. I remember his love of peaches, and of course, candy! You were such a good caregiver. Peace to you and to Terry.
Take care, Marilyn (Bartells)
Christmas Eve at Grandpa Dean’s was so special. As little girls, Sarah, Ranae and I
would arrive at Grandpa’s house with great excitement, sidling up to the tree to sneak
peeks at the gift tags and guess what might be inside. Dinner was always delicious, with
offerings such as sweet and sour pork and egg rolls on the menu. When I got older, I was
surprised to learn that those items were unusual for most people’s Christmas cuisine. I
missed them when I ate Christmas meals elsewhere. 🙂 And Grandpa’s salads were my
favorite! Crisp and fresh, served in those tiny pink-patterned bowls, with a secret sweet-
tasting homemade dressing. I didn’t really know how much I liked salad until I had it at
Grandpa Dean’s.
Grandpa always had chocolate milk for us three girls… even when we were teens, he still
bought it for us when he knew we were coming over. I loved that he never, ever forgot it.
I felt like a special guest knowing that he took the time to get it for us.
I loved playing cards with Grandpa Dean and Grandma Terry. After dinner and presents
(if it was Christmas), we would gather around the kitchen table and dig out all the dimes
we could find in our purses. Sweet Grandma Terry would draw each of us girls aside
and press a dollar or two into our hands, whispering, “This is just for you… don’t tell your
Grandpa!” We would take our dollars to the “bank” (Grandpa’s coin container with the
masking tape label, “Started playing Spite & Malice, 1978”) and trade them in for more
dimes if necessary. Then the game of 31 would begin! Ranae and Grandma always
had remarkable luck. Sometimes, Grandpa would say, “Beely beely!” as the tension
mounted, or “Good night!” when Grandma got an unusually lucky hand. Grandma
would laugh and laugh and Grandpa would look sheepish and defeated, while still always
smiling.
Grandpa Dean always remembered details about our lives and asked insightful questions.
He encouraged each of us to succeed in school and in our jobs. I felt proud getting to tell
him about the things I was doing. I knew he really cared about each of us.
I wish I could have one more card game with you, Grandpa. I wish we could have one
more Christmas Eve at your house. I will always be grateful to have had you in my life.
I am so proud you were my Grandpa.
I loved listening to Grandpa tell stories about his life and historical events. I liked hearing stories about his career and his travels to Asia. He was very intelligent and articulate. I remember playing cards with Grandpa and when he didn’t have a good hand he would say “Goodnight Nurse!”. That always made everyone laugh. I will really miss Grandpa.
My best memories of Grandpa Dean are Christmas Eve celebrations that Grandpa and Grandma would host every year. He would always make the most delicious Christmas Eve dinner, the sweet and sour chicken and jellow fruit salad was my favorite. During such celebrations we would always play cards. His favorite was 31 and sometimes we would play for hours. If I was on a winning streak he would always joke that his savings, the small cup of coins he collected for card games, was almost empty. He was always a joy to be around and always made me laugh. He was a wonderful Grandpa and I will always remember his fun, loving, and kind spirit.
Tito Dean (uncle) was like my father figured when I came to this country. He used to tell me different stuff about life like how to live here in the U.S. and he taught me how to eat American food. He was a very good cook to me and to my Tita (Aunt) Teri. Before he starts cooking our meal everyday, he wants to make sure that we are ready to eat, because he wants us to eat warm food all the time…If you are not ready he will not start cooking. I have so much best memories about my Tito, but I will not go on into details…
I was very happy that I took care of him until the end…I really missed him so much, it is very difficult to go on with my life every time I come home and see his recliner chair empty. I loved him dearly. I’m sure Tita Teri missed him terribly too.