CARRICO, Ora "Dean"

CARRICO, BARTLETT, MONTOGMERY, STEARNS, BAKER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/23/2015 at 01:30:43

Obituary ~ Ora "Dean" Carrico
October 17, 1917 ~ February 04, 2013

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
February, 1922

Ora (Dean) Carrico, the first of nine children born to Ora and Mabel Bartlett Carrico, was brought into this world on Oct. 17, 1917, in Davis City, IA and departed, after 95 years on February 4, 2013, leaving many wonderful memories for his family and friends.

Dean grew up in Garden Grove where he attended Reynolds Country School and Garden Grove High School. Dean was a hard worker all of his life, beginning at a young age. He left school early to help farmers cut corn during the drought, along with other jobs including: farming with Grandpa Bartlett; meat cutter at Murbarker Grocery Store and as cook and mechanic at 3C Camp in Leon.

In March 1941, Dean joined the Army, where he served 4 years in WWII as a T5 driver and mechanic, in the Middle East. He also cut hair for officers and soldiers.

After discharge in Oct. 1945, he returned home and married Freda Faye Montgomery, Nov.3, 1945, in Kansas City, MO. Five children were born to this union. The couple made their home in New Virginia, IA. Dean carried on his career as a mechanic, working at Spencer's Hardware (later Allen's Hardware); drove a school bus part time; mechanic and welder in Fulmer's Filling Station; later going into partnership with Earl Minor, opening Minor and Carrico Repair. After selling Minor and Carrico Repair to Denny Stearns, Dean continued working for Denny for two years. Later working in Osceola at Underwood's; Andrew's Auto Supply and Wilson's Auto.

When Freda retired from Robinson's, Dean also retired. Although, he still enjoyed "tinkering around" in his garage with cars, lawn mowers, woodworking toys and crafts. By this time, mechanical upkeep on his five children's cars kept him busy.

Dean was also active on the New Virginia Fire Department for 35 years; member of the Lions Club, N.V. Methodist Church and member of the American Legion since 1945.

After Freda passed away in 1998, Dean married Mildred Darlene Baker in 1999. They later moved to Osceola, preceding Darlene's death in 2009. Dean became a resident at Homestead Assisted Living in 2012, where he reunited with many friends from Garden Grove and New Virginia.

In Dean's life, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, building projects in his garage, having coffee and "shooting the bull" with his friends. His grandchildren, family and friends loved listening to his adventurous stories of the war, his life and his trip on the Veteran's Honor Flight in 2009. He enjoyed life in general. He never knew a stranger, as he would strike up a conversation with everyone he met.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents; first wife Freda; brothers: Wayne, Delbert, Melvin and Marvin; second wife Darlene.

Arrangements were handled by Kale Funeral Home of Osceola, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2015