Dean Claiborn (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Paul Dean Claiborn, son of Mack and Maudie Givens Claiborn, was born May 31, 1932, near Decaturville, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, August 7, 2011, in his home, near Rogersville, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years, two months, and six days.
On June 22, 1952, he was united in marriage to Louella Jean Helms, and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, J. E. Claiborn; and a sister, Lorene Parish.
Dean is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Jean, of the home; two daughters, Deborah Bonacker, and her husband, Scott, of Rogersville, Missouri, and Deanna Christensen, and her husband, Clarence, of Montreal, Missouri; three grandchildren, Leslie, Alex, and Nick; four great-grandchildren, Preston, Ian, Brooklynn, and Colten; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was raised in the Decaturville community, and graduated from Camdenton High School in the Class of 1950. After he and Jean were married, they made their home on a cattle farm near Camdenton, and began raising their daughters. Dean served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1955 until 1957, just after the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to his family and became a real estate broker with Helms and Claiborn Real Estate. He was a developer and builder, establishing several sub-divisions and neighborhoods in the Lake area. He was also a successful cattle farmer and stockman, but his true passion was raising Missouri Fox Trotters. Dean and Jean continued to make their home in Camdenton for many years, before moving to Macks Creek, in 1979. Then in 1991, they moved to the Springfield and Rogersville area.
He loved growing beautiful roses and enjoyed his large collection of family antiques. Dean was a charter member and the first President of the Camdenton Lions Club, and longtime member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. Through the years, he had made many friends in the horse raising business across the United States and Canada. He was a tough man who never let his health get him down. He walked with two canes and rode around in his golf cart, but he continued on always with a smile. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dean was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will always be remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated businessman, and a good and honest friend. He was the type of man who always believed that on a headstone it was the “dash” that counted.
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