Dean Allen Potter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dean Allen Potter was born on October 24, 1927 on the Red Top family farm in rural Southern Dallas County. His passing from this world after a short illness came on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 5:09 in the morning at the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 8 days. He was born to Lester Allen Potter and Pearl Gordan Potter as the middle of three children. His childhood family included an older sister Mildred and a younger sister Reva. Dean’s education included an 8th grade achievement at Hasten school and many life lessons provided by his parents and the High Prairie Christian Church. He was part of the Greatest Generation, proudly serving his country in the Army as part of the World War II era from 1945 to 1947. Military service in the Potter family dates to an early relative, Thomas Allen Potter, Sr (born in America in the middle 1700s) with an unconfirmed participation in the Revolutionary War. Following an honorable discharge in 1947, Dean returned to the family farm picking up where he had left off prior to his military service. As with military service (five generations confirmed), farming with his father was a tradition steeped deeply in the history of his family and Dallas County. Five generations earlier, his early relatives including Thomas Allen Potter, Jr (Colonel in the War of 1812) were among the very first settlers in the 1820s of a rural area along the Pomme de Terre River that eventually became parts of Webster, Greene, Polk and Dallas Counties. Among his family history achievements were the local landmarks of the “Potter Mansion” and the “Potter Barn” along the Pomme River in Greene and Polk Counties respectively. Additionally, his ancestors founded the High Prairie Christian Church, whose original location’s foundation stones are present to this day on the family farm of his birth. On June 4, 1948, Dean married Dollie Arlene Wadsworth. The marriage lasted almost 70 years prior to the death of his spouse in 2017. They were blessed with 5 children between 1949 and 1956: Ben Allen, Danny Gilbert, Della Jane, Deana Lee, and Donald Lester. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Lester & Pearl; his wife, Dollie; a sister, Mildred; and two sons, Ben and Danny. He is survived by a sister, Reva Lee; three children, Della, Deana, and Donald; five grandchildren, Lloyd Gene, Danita Joyce, Duane Lee, Jennifer Michelle, and Jason Allen; numerous great-grandchildren; and many extended family members. Current great grandchildren of Dean constitute 9th generation Americans. Dean pursued his career in farming (dairy, beef, & crop) on a farm of his own in excess of 65 years prior to selling off the last of his beef cattle a few years back. During his life, he was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and reader. Among those, he had a long passion for Whitetail Deer Hunting; achieving success that spanned six decades and four family generations. He passed his love of the outdoors to his children and it spread from there. Dean lived out his latter years enjoying the company of his family, friends, and a number of companion pets that brought joy, whether accompanying him in his truck, on walks around the farm, or just the quiet serenity of a slowly setting sun watched together from the comfort of his favorite easy chair. It was a life well lived and an eternal rest well earned. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2021 in the High Prairie Cemetery under the direction of the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo, Missouri. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Dean Allen Potter

October 24, 1927 - March 3, 2021