Arvel Dean

Rotan

Arvel Dean Rotan, 81, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023, in Waco.  A celebration of Arvel's life will be held at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco on Saturday, September 2, 2023.  A reception and visitation will begin at 1:00PM followed by the memorial service at 2:00PM. Graveside services will be held on Monday September 4,2023 at 10:00am Slater's Chapel cemetery  in Nolan, TX directed by McCoy Funeral Home.

Arvel was born on October 19, 1941, in San Diego, CA, but he got to Texas as quick as he could.  He grew up in Nolan, TX, and attended Divide schools.  He graduated from Divide High School, and he helped with the family dairy farm.  He went on to attend Sam Houston State University where he was a proud member of the College Farm Boys.  He met his future brother-in-law Jack Gardner there who introduced him to the love of his life Cheryl Lee Allen.  They married October 12, 1963, in Lovelady, TX. They raised their three children Pam, Dean, and Melissa in Sweetwater and San Angelo.

He had a lifelong career in education and retired as superintendent in Valley Mills ISD. In addition to education, he was a rancher and cotton farmer. Arvel loved to tell stories.  Everyone who knew him would say that he was a great story teller. He will be remembered by all who loved him for his passion for fun and tall tales. He loved to play golf and had a great group of friends that he played with almost every day.  He loved his kids and grandkids, and he made sure that his grandchildren enjoyed Rotan Summer Camp hunting bugs, being hauled in the gator, and playing on water slides.  He was a devoted Christian and long-time member and deacon of First Baptist Church, China Springs.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Harry and Mildred (Bawcom) Rotan and his sister Sharon Kay Rotan.

He is survived by Cheryl, his wife of almost sixty years, his daughter Pam and her husband Ralph Cummings, his son Dean and his wife Becky, his daughter Melissa and her husband Zach Granberry, his grandchildren Ryan, McKenna, and Aidan Granberry; Addi Cummings, Paisley Rotan; and his brother Gary and his wife Rita.  He is also survived by beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews as well as other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate memorials to Providence Hospice Place, 300 Hwy 6, Waco TX 76712 – 2nd floor, thoughts, memories, and any crazy stories may be shared in the online guest book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com