Dean Anderson, lifetime Oak Harbor resident, died March 15, 2009, at San Juan Rehabilitation Center, Anacortes, at the age of 89. He was the son of Anker and Emily (Christensen) Anderson.

Dean was born Nov. 30, 1918, in Oak Harbor and attended Cornet Bay Elementary School and then Oak Harbor High School, graduating in 1938. While in high school, he worked on Fir Island on the old Olson Farm. He farmed using a plow pulled by a team of horses.

He married Vivian Wilson in Friday Harbor on Sept. 13, 1942. Shortly after their marriage, they purchased their farm at Dugualla Bay in Oak Harbor and have remained at that location for nearly 67 years.

Dean operated his farm for much of his life. He and Vivian raised turkeys, chickens, registered Black Angus cattle, dairy cattle and horses. Dean was a longtime officer in the District 3 Diking District.

Dean loved the out-of-doors and enjoyed back packing trips to the mountains and spending time snowmobiling at his property at Mazama, Wash. He enjoyed hunting moose and fishing.

Dean was also an entrepreneur. He partnered with two of his brothers and they opened the Elephant Car Wash chain, with two facilities in Seattle and one in Tacoma. They had the grand opening of their Tacoma location on the day President Kennedy was assassinated. He also owns a storage facility in Mount Vernon.

Dean was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor and the Summit Park Grange. He was an Oak Harbor Precinct Committeeman for the Democratic Caucus for many years.

Dean is survived by his wife Vivian at the family home, Oak Harbor; two daughters, Mari Anderson of Titusville, Fla., and Bonnie Newkirk of Oak Harbor; his grandchildren, John and Sophia Milanoski, Karl Milanoski, Max Anderson, Derek and Shana Newkirk, Garrett Newkirk and Jason and Kim Newkirk; great-grandchildren, Jessica Fipps, Kiley Milanoski, Hunter Milanoski, Colton Fipps and Amirah Milanoski and Keira Newkirk; one brother, Delmon Anderson and wife Juanita; two sister-in-laws, Virginia Anderson and Ellen Anderson; and a large extended family. His parents, brothers Milton, Eldon, and Archie and one sister Arbutus “Boots” Anderson-Undlin preceded him in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall, First United Methodist Church, Oak Harbor with Pastor David Lura officiating. Cremation was held with private family graveside services to be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, The Alzheimer’s Foundation or a favorite charity. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.