Dean R. Fordyce

Dean Raymond Fordyce was born in Marshalltown, Iowa to Vernon and Elma (Grammer) Fordyce on July 9, 1951. He was born prematurely and was a tiny guy with a big will to live. He was the second son and has a brother Glen Fordyce (1947) who was 4 years older. Over the next few years, siblings Kathryn (1955) and Daryl (1958), came into the family. In 1960 the family moved to Colorado from Iowa, for health reasons. They lived in Greeley, and eventually the mother and children moved to Loveland, following the divorce of the parents. The youngest sister Sharon joined the family in 1965, after their mother remarried.

Dean graduated from Loveland High School in 1969 and followed his older brother by enlisting in the United States Navy. He asked for "brother duty", which was granted. He was assigned to the USS Providence, where he was assigned as a cook and baker. He learned well and was an excellent cook for all his lifetime. Big brother Glen was a mechanic on the same ship, and looked forward to Chow Hall, knowing his brother Dean was cooking. Dean served proudly in the US Navy from 1970 until he was given a medical discharge in 1971.

He lived in Denver from the early 1970's until 2013, when he moved to Poudre Canyon (Fort Collins) to share a log cabin home with his mother, Elma (Dolly) Endicott, who was by then in her late 80's. He was lending her a hand with mountain living, with the bonus of waking up to whispering pines. In 2017 she sold the cabin she had lived in for nearly 40 years, and moved to Loveland, and Dean moved to Colorado Springs. In 2022 he moved to Loveland to be closer to his mother and sisters.
Dean was married twice and has two sons from his first marriage. Jeff Fordyce of Arizona and Jason Fordyce of Colorado. Dean has 4 grandchildren. He was proud of them all and their accomplishments.

Dean was a man of a many skills. He liked working with his hands, building and fixing things, and he enjoyed driving. He worked in manufacturing as a machinist at Alcoa for over 15 years. He worked as a delivery driver, CU Medical Library technician, apartment building maintenance, and Poudre Valley Hospital security services. He retired from security in 2014, following a scary health episode which resulted in triple bypass heart surgery. When he returned to Loveland in 2022, he worked briefly at Seven Lakes Memory Care, where his sister Katie also worked. His last job, post-retirement, was with Budget/Avis Rental Cars, as a relocation driver. He loved anything to do with vehicles and was proud of being a careful driver. He also enjoyed the camaraderie of his co-workers during long rides to the car lots to retrieve rental cars, often being on the road for over 14 hours.

One of his real passions was riding and working on motorcycles. He always seemed to have at least one. Nothing was more fun than a road trip or a day ride in the mountains. He also enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, "fiddling" with electronic gadgets and computers, spending time visiting & playing games with friends. He liked everything from dice to cards, bingo, computer games, RC flying & cars, board games. Dean really loved animals and had many cherished pets over his lifetime. His last home didn't allow cats or dogs, so Dean found a little hamster friend named Gordy, who responded to his name & in return was spoiled with fancy cashews.

Dean was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion. He had been a member in each of the communities where he resided. He was involved in many programs, served as an officer, and also rode with the motorcycle clubs within the different posts. He made a lot of friends and was dedicated to service to his fellow veterans. His final wishes included helping veterans in need. He took pride in being of service to his fellow citizens, and he liked lending a hand to folks who needed a little extra help.

Dean is survived by his mother Elma "Dolly" Endicott, his siblings Glen Fordyce (Pat), Katie Pachek (Warren), Daryl Fordyce (Jana) & Sharon Welch (Dan Howden). His sons Jeff Fordyce (Wendy) & Jason Fordyce and wife along with their children, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Just days after his passing, a new generation was born, a great-great nephew. Family was very important to Dean, and he was sad that he didn't have more time with each member of his large family.

Dean was a man of faith. In his later years, he attended Poudre Christian Fellowship and then moved to Loveland, Grace Community Church. In his last months he found great comfort spending time and praying with the chaplains from Medical Center of the Rockies and Hospice.

Dean passed quietly the morning of September 12th at Pathways Hospice. Private internment will be at the Reflections Wall, Resthaven Memorial Gardens, September 26th, with family present.

A Celebration Of Life will be at Loveland Associated Veterans, 305 North Cleveland, Loveland, CO, at 2:00 PM on October 26th, 2024.

All are welcome. Anyone who wishes to visit his resting place is invited to go the morning before the Celebration of Life.