Ray Dean King, 41, of Baxter Springs, died April 7, 2023. Born June 3, 1981, Ray Dean was the son of Radge Greenlee and Shirley King. He went by various other names, “Biggin” “Tiny” “Deano” Big Country” and most called him Dean and all called him friend. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Joann Mathews, a brother, Joey King, Uncle, Raydean Greenlee; niece, Briann King and brother-inlaw, Mitchell Mathews.
Big Dean went to Riverton High School and was part of the class of 1999. Dean did many jobs a lot of his work was seasonal. He enjoyed working those jobs because they were outside. One of his favorite jobs was Prestige Cabinets/RSI in Columbus as a shipping and receiving Guru, one of the main reasons it was his favorite was he had really good people to work for and work with. Brian North, Keith Parent, Monica Delmont and Scooter. RSI shut down and Dean started work for the city of Joplin, Mo. until injuries and illnesses started slowing the big man down. He enjoyed helping with his buddy’s ranch, working cattle and running the equipment during hay season. He also enjoyed the lake and he tried tubing once. He liked running jug lines and fishing, He really enjoyed when it was time to eat the fish, but not clean the fish. Hard to find that big man when it was time to clean the fish.
Big Dean liked live bands and loved classic country music and he didn’t mind taking into some dancing. You weren’t Biggins true friend unless you received a random text from any time or day that asked some out of the ordinary question and it was funny. You would laugh if you got the text and you know what I’m talking about. The big man started to slow down due to lack of oxygen, where the simple things became difficult to do. He enjoyed playing some play station and watching some really weird TV shows but he enjoyed them and that is what matters. He also enjoyed playing Texas hold’em at friends get togethers. He enjoyed talking smack about football teams with friends, He enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews ball games and listening to their stories and just giving them a hard time and he never left without a hug and telling you Love ya later.
On nice days you would catch him sitting on his front porch and waveing at the cars that passed by. Many times, you could be heard some of the kids say at the ball fields hey we are winning tonight’s game, I got the lucky wave From Big Country. He was the local area giant and he had an even larger heart for most people he would meet.
Dean is survived by long time childhood, best friend/ brother/ Broski/ Dutin, Dustin Buzz Busby; brothers, Charles King, Wesley King, Bill King, Radgie King, Rusty King; sisters, Debbie Purdy and Patty King; along with many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews and many, many friends.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 3, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Biggins Homestead in Lowell.
Ray has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Online condolences may be expressed at www. derfeltfuneralhomes.com.