C. Dean Harrison passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at his home near Sheridan, WY.
Clarence ‘Dean’ Harrison was born January 22, 1953, in Dillon Montana to Fredrick ‘Clarence’ and Marilyn Harrison. He grew up in the Big Hole Valley along with his two younger brothers Dan and Richard. Dean attended 1st grade in a one-room schoolhouse in Feely, MT. There were 8 students in the school. The family then moved to the ranch at Wise River, MT. He attended the remainder of his grade school education at the Wise River School. He stayed with his grandparents while attending High School at Beaverhead County High School in Dillon. Dean excelled in shop class. He often said it was the only thing that got him through High school. When not working for his dad or grandparents he was active in 4-H, FFA, and Rodeo.
Dean worked for various ranches in the Wise River area then at the Berkley Pit in Butte for Cobre Tire. He transferred to Casper, WY. He went to work for Gladwell logging in Buffalo in 1977. Shortly after moving to Buffalo, he met his best friend, Love of his life, and his future wife Kandy. They lived in Buffalo until 1998 when they moved just outside of Sheridan, WY.
Dean and Kandy owned and operated D&K Logging for several years. Dean loved the logging business. Whether it be timber falling, skidding, log truck driving, equipment operating or hauling, plowing and blowing snow, or building and maintaining roads, he could do it all. He worked for Wyoming Sawmills for nearly 30 years. He was a truck driver for Sheridan Seed for a few years following the sawmill fire. When the mill closed Dean delivered tractors and equipment for Heartland Kubota. He was very fond of his Kubota family. Dean’s early retirement was short-lived as his part-time ranch job for Wagner Ranch Services turned full-time the first week. He did custom haying, worked with the crusher crew, operated equipment, and was a truck driver until ill health required him to quit doing the job he loved.
Dean was a volunteer firefighter for the Buffalo Fire Department for over 20 years. He rodeoed in his younger years riding bulls and bareback horses, was a member of the Northeastern Wyoming Draft Horse and Mule Association, and participated in many events in Logger’s Rodeos, winning the pole climbing event seven years in a row at Burgess Junction. He competed in silhouette target shooting events. He was President of the Hidden Hills Homeowners Association for 20-plus years.
Anyone spending time on roads or trails in the Bighorns has probably seen some of Dean’s handiwork. As a charter member and multiple-term President of the Cloud Peak Backcountry Horsem*n, Dean spearheaded trail maintenance and building projects, taught trail maintenance, Leave No Trace, and horse and mule packing classes. Not a fan of trail rides Dean put his priorities toward trail work. He was twice awarded the Vibram Volunteer of the Year Award for the State of Wyoming. He also received the 2002 National Forest Service Chief’s Individual Volunteer Award for his over 1500 hours of trail work.
Dean enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wilderness pack trips. Friends said his Christmas light display could be seen from outer space. Dean was a kind and caring man, always there to teach and help others. Making people smile and laugh was his passion. He took pride in teasing and agitating his friends and co-workers.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kandy Harrison; his brother Richard and wife Deb Harrison of Battle Mountain NV.; his very special Aunt Myrna Johnson; Cousins Andy and Marlene Johnson all of Dillon MT; Cousin Jeff Johnson of Dell, MT; Brother-In-Law Ray King and wife Sandy of Somerset, S.D.; eight nieces and nephews including Trevor Spanyers who spent many memorable summers at Uncle Dean’s. Special adopted family, Ken and Marlene Aitchison, their children and grandchildren. He was loved and fondly referred to as Uncle Dean by George, John, Stephanie, Jake, Josh Aitchison, Kelsey and Tom Raile, Caden and Bren Steele, and Madi and Riley Wagner.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Dan Harrison, and his Uncle Andrew Johnson.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 Saturday, July 6th in Buffalo at the Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, WY, with a Celebration of Life luncheon to follow in Sheridan at 1:00 PM at the Kalif Shrine. Friends are welcome to attend either or both the service and luncheon Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.
