In Loving Memory

Dean Kent Sellers

4/4/1947 — 6/27/2021

Bunker Family Funerals

A Life Remembered

Obituary

Dean Kent Sellers was born on April 4, 1947 in Mesa, Arizona to Ila Mae Hill and Charles Sumner Sellers. His siblings, Charlie, Bob and Shari were thrilled to welcome their new baby brother into their family. As a fifth generation Arizonan he was very proud of his pioneer heritage, and loved going to his Grandma and Grandpa Hill’s home each Sunday evening to see his aunts, uncles and cousins. Sadly for Dean and his whole family, he lost his father at the tender age of only 8 years old. He helped care for his sweet mom throughout the remainder of her life.

Dean grew up with a love of sports and especially enjoyed wrestling and playing football at Mesa High School and later at Mesa Community College. He was excited to accept his call to serve a full-time mission to the Eastern States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a powerful missionary with a deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a love for all people, and continued to share his testimony throughout his entire life.

Upon returning from his mission, he immediately noticed a beautiful brunette in the Mesa 3rd Ward. It wasn’t long before he was sealed to his eternal companion, Patricia Sue Watts in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on September 1, 1970. He was a loving, devoted husband to Patricia and felt blessed to be the father to his eight wonderful children… Susan, Kristin, Dean, Jared, Brad, Tiffany, Elizabeth and Rebecca. He loved his sons and daughters-in-law as if they were his own. He was proud to be the grandpa to 34 grandchildren and four great-granddaughters. He loved cheering on his children and grandchildren at their sporting events, and his strong, robust voice was unforgettable by all!

His love for his country led him to enlist in the United States Army Reserves Medical Unit. Years later, with a great interest in local, state and national politics, he had a desire to serve his country, and ran for the United States Senate in 1982 and then other positions.

Dean loved the beauty of the mountains and family vacations to our ranches in Alpine, Arizona and Hannigan’s Meadow in the White Mountains of Northeastern Arizona. He was a true cowboy, and you would always find him wearing his signature boots, turquoise belt buckle and Wranglers. His love for the outdoors led him to work professionally in land development, selling cattle ranches and real estate. He was a broker for 48 years.

Dean took a genuine interest in those around him and made it a priority to serve and give as often as he could. He was always fun to be around since he was full of life and had such a great sense of humor. One of his distinctive characteristics was his strong, “powerhouse” handshake.

Dean passed on his legacy of love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He always shared his strong love for his Heavenly Father and Savior, and he lived his testimony through word and action until the end. He loved people and made friends wherever he went. He loved taking his darling family on surprise trips and outings to Disneyland, the cabin or the beach.

Our hearts feel broken by the passing of our beloved husband, dad, and grandpa. We are comforted by the knowledge that he is now reunited with his dear mom, dad, brothers and many other loved ones that preceded him in death. Very unexpectedly, he started having complications and was admitted to the Banner Heart Hospital. It was there that on Sunday, June 27, 2021 he slipped into eternity. Oh how we miss him!

We will be honoring him at a funeral service at the LDS Stake Center located at 3307 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, AZ on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held at 10:00 am. A live broadcast may be viewed at the following website: https://tinyurl.com/48kc77pw

Dean and Patricia are grateful for all your dear friendships through the years.

Service Details

Gatherings in remembrance

Visitation

Friday, July 9, 2021 · 10:00 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3307 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297

Service

Friday, July 9, 2021 · 11:00 AM

Messages of Love

From family and friends

Stephen and Carolei Phelps

How we loved our cousin, Dean Kent Sellers! I was five years older than Dean, but age didn’t mean much when you were with your aunts, uncles and cousins. I have such happy memories of family gatherings at “Uncle Charlie and Aunt Ila Mae’s” beautiful home just a block West of us on 1st Avenue. The Hill sisters, Ila Mae, Wanda, Zoe and Shirley, saw to it that we were together often… watching Uncle Charlie’s home movies, many, many desert picnics, holiday gatherings… it didn’t take much of an excuse for the Hill family to get together. One thing all who knew Dean can agree on: he was FULL OF LIFE, and he lived it completely. Everything he did, he did with all his heart, with courage and determination and lots of pure grit! I loved him for his enthusiasm for life. He was forever trying to find a way for me to get the medical help I needed, and still need, with my back. He kept saying, “Stephen, you’re going to live another 20 years!” I would moan and groan about that idea, and kept trying to get him to come down a little. But he was determined he was going to find a way to help me. As close as we have always been as cousins, Dean and I have been especially close the past few years. Sometimes Dean and Patty were on our doorstep (always with flowers or a plate of home made treats…NOT made by Dean!) and in our home for a nice visit. Then in between visits he would call me or I would call him on the telephone and we just had the BEST TIME talking about LIFE… about happy memories… about some of the trials of life… and just about most anything you can think of. When I would answer the phone he would say, “This is your Uncle Dean calling!” and I would say, “Listen, bud, I’m five years older than you are, and you are NOT my Uncle!” And back and forth we would go. We just had the BEST TIME in those frequent chats, and I will treasure them always. Sweet Patty was a leveling influence in Dean’s life, as some times his enthusiasm and boldness exceeded his strength. How grateful we all are for Patty… for helping to polish that quivering shaft of a husband of hers. We love you Patty! Thanks for sticking by Dean through the easy AND the tough. You are an angel. We love you with all our hearts! We will miss Dean terribly, but the Gospel gives us the strength to keep going. You have 8 beautiful, wonderful children who will stick by you. How blessed you are! Thanks for letting us be a part of your life! — Stephen and Carolei

Starlyn Peterson

We need more loving, strong, determined men like Dean in this world. He left a big imprint here on earth with all his passion, goodness, and service. I love the Sellers family so much and am grateful for your sweet influence in my life. I pray that the eternal love you have for your husband/dad/grandpa will carry you through this difficult time of sorrow and grief. So grateful to know our Heavenly Father and Savior have provided a way for you to look forward to a joyous reunion someday. Sending all my love. ❤️

Lynda Watts

Dear Patty and Family, We are so sorry for your loss . Uncle Dean was a powerful force in our family and a good father and We all have wonderful memories of him from our family parties and events. We love you and you are in our prayers. Lynda, Marianne, Randy T, Andrew, Garrett

Les & Diane Pospisil

Dean Sellers & I are brothers-in-law, we married sisters. We lived next to each other in Gilbert, for over 20 years! Our children grew up thinking they were more like siblings than cousins. You couldn’t ask for better neighbors than Dean & Patty! One outstanding memory we have of our Uncle Dean, is when our daughter, Kimberly, was on her way home from BYU, she tragically died in a traffic accident! Dean and another brother-in-law, immediately drove up to Utah and brought her home to Arizona, for her services here. Dean would put on a rough exterior but had a HEART OF GOLD. He was always very giving of his time, money and service! We love you Dean! You will be dearly missed!!

Nellie B. Sellers

My husband, Charlie, was 14 years older than Dean. We didn’t get to spend much time with him, as we lived across the country. But when we did get together, we had lots of fun. I didn’t realize what a tease he was until he visited us in North Carolina in 1964. He went with us to the World’s Fair in New York City. He would recount some of the adventures of that trip, and each time, it was funnier. He and Patricia raised a splendid family. May God’s peace and comfort be with each of you. He will certainly be missed.

Shari Edwards

The Edwards family would like to send our deep love to Patty and her beautiful family. Dean was a fun, amazing and loving Brother to me and Corwin, and a beloved Uncle to our children. Dean and Patty always welcomed us into their home with such a generous love and always tons of fun! Dean was a great tease and many fell victim to his fun jokes! We loved having their family visit us in Salt Lake where we would always have a serious party going on! Dean made sure there was never a dull moment. We will all miss him greatly. Dean always had a deep and abiding love for our loving Dad and Mom. In a text that he sent me recently he mentioned that he had been missing them lately more than ever. I am comforted knowing that he is with our parents and his brothers Charlie and Bob. What a beautiful reunion they are having together at last. We love you Dean and Patty and your amazing family and pray that peace will come through our loving Heavenly Father and the Savior. Love, Shari and the Edwards family

Cindy and Blair Packard

Dear Sweet Patty and family – We are so sorry for your pain and loss. Our hearts hurt for you. You have such a beautiful family that is such a credit to your strength and love. We are sorry we can’t attend the services – Blair had a recent kidney transplant and so we aren’t able to be around people yet. But we will watch the link and our hearts will be with you. I always remember Patty telling me every Saturday Dean would wash your car and gas it up. Who does that? ? Dean :)! I miss you my friend and I’m sending a big virtual hug until I can see you again. Our love and prayers are with you to help lift you up and help you heal at this difficult time. Bless you. Love you. Cindy

Coy Lindblom

A good friend of my youth as we both grew up in the Mesa Third Ward. We had many a good time enjoying what Mesa had to offer. Sadly our ways parted after missions and marriage. I wish Patty and family the best as they continue on in this life.

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