Norman Dean McPhie

Norman Dean McPhie (Dean) passed away peacefully at his home March 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Dean was born December 10, 1939, in Spring Canyon, Utah, to John Marvin McPhie and Audrey Lillian (Lil) Carlson McPhie. He was the 2nd child, after Theodore Marvin, and later would be joined by siblings John Richard, Donald Terrance, Pamela Darlene, and Candace Lorraine. In the early years of WWII, the family moved to Portola, California, where his father was called by the Army to serve in France. Dean joined the Navy 3 months after his 17th birthday and stayed for 30 years and 6 months, serving mostly on destroyers, with 3-year tours in the Philippines and Japan. He served on the Battleship USS Iowa. Dean was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Master Chief. He would later receive his bachelor’s degree in teaching from the University of West Florida. After Dean retired from the Navy, he went to Saudi Arabia, where he did technical writing, editing, and advising for the Saudi Navy on gun systems. Dean was extremely handy and could fix anything. He loved golf, Louis L’amour books, watching Westerns, root beer floats, Nutter Butter Cookies, and Squirt. Dean loved everyone he met and always had a smile for family and friends. He had the ability to be positive in every situation and always looked at things on the bright side. Whenever Dean was asked how he was feeling, he would turn the palms of his hands, smile, and reply, “Just swell,” or “Just peachy.” Dean married JoAnn Hatt August 1959 and later divorced. They had two children, DeAnn and Edward Dean. Later on, Dean would meet the love of his life at a dance at the Chief Petty Officer’s Club in California. They were married December 11, 1971, in Las Vegas, Nevada. On August 11, 1979, Dean and Dixie were sealed for time and eternity in the Ogden Utah Temple. Dean and Dixie had a blended family of four children, whom they were very proud of and loved very much: DeAnn, Eddie, Joseph, and Chris. Dean adopted Dixie’s two children, Joseph Keith and Christina Michelle. Dean was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in numerous callings. Dean and Dixie served missions in Singapore (which included India, Malaysia, and Indonesia), as Family History Specialists, as Specialists in the Employment Office in St. George, and a Military Mission in North Carolina. In 1996, Dean and Dixie retired in St. George, Utah, where they lived happily for 28 years. Dean is survived by his loving wife, Dixie, children DeAnn Fairborn (Kevin,) Edward (Desiree), Christina Pilkey (Larry), and Joseph (Norma), 63 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers Theodore (Ted) Marvin McPhie, and John Richard (Dick) McPhie. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Marvin and Audrey Lillian McPhie, brother Donald Terrance, sisters Pamela Darlene, Candace Lorraine, and first wife JoAnn Hatt McPhie. Dean has left an incredible legacy of hard work, honesty, and service for his posterity. Grandpa, as we lovingly called him, will greatly be missed by his family and friends. We will always remember his happy and kind demeanor, his love and service for his country, his love for his family, and most of all, his love for his Savior Jesus Christ. We would like to express our gratitude to the doctors, nurses, hospice personnel, and all those who attended our dear father. A viewing will be held Saturday, March 11, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by funeral services, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Building in Bloomington Hills, St. George, Utah. Interment will be at the Santa Clara Cemetery.

Norman Dean McPhie

December 10, 1939 - March 4, 2023