Dean F. Jonsson
October 22, 1951 ~ July 20, 2022
Dean Frederick Jonsson was born in Crystal City, Texas, on October 22, 1951, the third child and second son of Charles and Clarice Hollan Jonsson. He grew up in that South Texas town where his grandparents Frank and Lena Jonsson were founding members of the community. As a young boy he also lived for a year with his parents and siblings in Cuatro Cienega, Coahuila, Mexico in 1957-58.
Dean graduated from Crystal City High School in 1970 and enrolled at Texas A&M University at Kingsville. He was in the ROTC and graduated from the university as a Lieutenant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1975. His career in the Army took him to Germany as well as posts in the US.
After retiring from the military as a Captain, he attended truck driving school where he met Helen. After they were married in 1990, they drove together coast to coast for 2 years before moving to San Antonio. There he attended business school and was employed by Cornerstone Church for 8 years before starting his own home repair business.
He was a good and faithful Christian, active in his church and always willing to help his neighbors and anyone who needed assistance. Dean was a loving husband to Helen and stepfather to Lance and Bambie. And he was dearly loved by his grandchildren Dylan and Jessica.
Dean was pre-deceased by his mother and father, his older brother Charles and younger brother Alan.
He is survived by his wife Helen, stepdaughter, Bambie, her husband, John Shipman, and stepson, Lance Cuffin, his wife Amy, and grandchildren, Dylan and Jessica Cuffin. He is also survived by his older sister Gwyn Jonsson Creagan, her husband James Creagan and nephews Kevin and Sean Creagan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Thrizewell Cancer Foundation @ 210 593-5949 or National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation @ 1-800-859-6723.
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We have many memories of Dean. He was not over-talkative but was straight and clear in expressing and defending his well-held views. He patiently and in detail explained and showed me the art of goat farming, not expecting me to remember so much. He was quite the runner, and back in his college days would take me on 5 or more mile runs around Alice, Texas. I will miss the dry humor of this beloved brother of my spouse, Gwyn. He rests in peace. James F. Creagan
When Dean was a baby, our Airedale dog Jeff was his constant companion. Jeff always watched over him and even invited him into his burrow where they could cool off from the summer heat! Gwyn Creagan
Some school photos
Dean – on the far right – was a groomsman in my wedding in 1966.
Young Dean with siblings.
In our hometown there was a loving, Christian family. My childhood friend was Dean’s sister, Gwen, the oldest with 3 brothers of which Dean was one. . A visit to Gwen’s was a visit to see her baby brother, Dean. He was the first baby I ever knew. As an only child, meeting Dean was very special for me. He now rests in Heaven in Our Father’s loving arms. This knowledge makes the sorrow of loosing him just a bit easier. I thank our Lord, Jesus Christ, for Dean’s life & I lift up his family & friends up in prayer.
Dean, Mother & Charlie…& carrying nephew Kevin…playing with cat…
Graduation from Crystal City High School
Graduation from Texas A& M as an officer
Family gatherings…
I vaguely remember Dean as a child growing up in Crystal City. I believe at one time our families were neighbors. I send my sincere condolences to his family and friends. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
I remember Dean as a kind and fun loving boy while growing up in Crystal City. My hope is to honor his memory with love and this tree.
Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. Please accept our condolences. Family McDonald
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We love you Dean/Grandpa and miss you already! See you again in Heaven. Love Amy, Lance, Dylan, and Jessica. Our condolences: The Shugarts.
Dean was a servant a heart. He was a remarkable kind man who was always willing to lend a hand. He connected with so many at our church, from the youth to our missionaries in Cuba. “Super Dean” was the name given by our youth. Praying God’s deep peace on Helen and extended family.
Uncle Dean was my hero. My Steve McQueen. He was always calm, cool, and collected – unflappable – even around a bunch of pesky kids, like me and my younger brother, Sean. One of my fondest childhood memories is of riding on the back of Uncle Dean’s motorcycle from San Antonio to Padre Island. I must have been 10 or 11 at the time. I can’t believe my parents let me do that but with Uncle Dean, they knew I was in responsible hands. Uncle Dean was brave and adventurous. I remember how proud I was that he was serving our country as a captain in the army stationed in Germany and how cool I thought it was when he and his wife Helen drove Big Rigs all over the U.S.A. And then he had his goats and chickens. Can’t get much cooler than raising goats and chickens in your own backyard – at least not for a city kid like me. Uncle Dean was fun. Another of my fondest memories is of Uncle Dean showing me how to hunt jackrabbits in the South Texas brush with a BB gun and of his hanging out with us kids at my grandmother’s Hill Country ranch house. It was always more fun with Uncle Dean. Uncle Dean was smart and wise. He knew how to do stuff like grow his own kefir and build a hen house. Uncle Dean was reliable. I always felt that were I to be stranded on a desert island with only one other person I could choose from the world, I would choose Uncle Dean. Uncle Dean was the best uncle a kid could ever wish for. He was a great role model, a kind and caring person, and someone I always aspired to be like. He still is and I still do. Sadly, he was taken too early from us and he will be greatly missed but I know that I am a better person for having been able to spend the time with him that I did and for that, I will be forever grateful.
What a blessing it has been to have Dean in our lives. He’s been such an amazing role model of love, unwavering integrity, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, and giving to me, Lance, and our children (Dylan and Jessica). My kids were blessed to have him as their Grandpa. Because of him they have watched a humble, giving soul their entire lives. They saw him build porches, barns, chicken coups, a canoe, a dehydrator for meat, a hamster cage for a friend, and their sand box. They saw him run marathons and give to the needy. Nothing was impossible for him. They learned to fish, feed chickens, milk goats, play in the river, and cook on a campfire. I will forever be grateful for the love, influence, and memories that he gave us and especially my children. We will miss you Grandpa/Dean.
This grove is planted by our family in remembrance of Dean and his love for the outdoors. He had a very subtle influence with his calm, quiet ways.