Burl Dean Davis, 84

A graveside funeral service for Burl Dean Davis, 84, of rural Lawrence, Kansas, will be held at 10 a.m. May 23, 2025, at the Udall Cemetery. 

Dean died May 14, at Saint Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 9, 1940, in Ozark County, the son of Carl Davis and Beryl Dean. He grew up learning how to fish, hunt and grow a bountiful garden from his father, Carl. Once he graduated from Bakersfield High School, he began his long, successful career building the world we’ve come to know today. His first major project of note was building the Pomme De Terre Dam.

Dean married Dorothy Climer on March 27, 1960, in Mount Pleasant, Missouri. Together, they packed up and moved from Missouri to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Dean began working for his Uncle Norman Dean as a roofer during the boom of the Las Vegas strip. During their time in Las Vegas, Dean and Dorothy were blessed with their only son, Larry Todd. Once they closed their chapter in Nevada, they moved closer to “down home” and settled in rural north Lawrence.

His life in Lawrence revolved around helping to raise his son, the Carpenter’s Union, and continuing his career as a construction superintendent at Straub Construction of Kansas City and later Harris Construction of Lawrence. He took pride in his yearly garden and regularly competed with his daughter-in-law on who could grow the largest tomato each year, until her death in 2007.

Upon retirement, he continued his talents of construction and carpentry by maintaining his homes and aiding his son in the repair and addition of his home. He enjoyed his wife’s pies and company until her death in 2017. Additionally, he worked with his son on the small cattle and crop farm, rarely seen without his Kubota nearby. He spent his final days walking amongst the fence lines and trees, talking to the cattle and enjoying meals with his family.

Dean is survived by his son Larry Todd of rural Lawrence, Kansas; granddaughter Chantelle of rural Lawrence, Kansas; and his younger sister, Jessie Fasanella.

Arrangements under the direction of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas. 

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com.