C. Dean Cardin

Carol “Dean” Cardin passed away peacefully in Bend, Oregon on the morning of May 2, 2024. His devoted wife of 68 years, Kay (Meagher) Cardin, was faithfully by his side. He was 93 years old. Dean was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1930, to Hazel Belle (Ness) and James Leslie Cardin in Independence, Missouri. He enjoyed early childhood in Humbolt, Kansas until the Great Depression when his family moved west looking for work. The family settled in Prineville, Oregon, where Dean’s father later opened “Cardin Motors,” a Studebaker dealership. As a young boy, Dean delivered newspapers, and spent summers working as a wrangler at a nearby ranch. He graduated from Prineville High School, and found employment at his father’s business, later serving two years in the United States Army overseas during the Korean War. After returning to civilian life, Dean met his bride through her sister and his good friend. The connection was immediate, and Dean and Kay married on August 26, 1956, at the First United Methodist Church in Bend. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii. Upon their return they began married life in Newport, Oregon where Dean leased and ran a Mobil service station. The couple welcomed two daughters in Newport before relocating to Klamath Falls for Dean to further his education. After his graduation, the couple relocated back to Central Oregon where Dean purchased and successfully operated “Dean’s Mobil Service Station” in Bend on the corner of Greenwood Ave and 8th Street. Dean was a dedicated businessman and worked long hours, but his family always came first and was what made him happiest. The Cardin’s welcomed three additional children, for a total of five, that they raised in the country on Eagle Road. Dean enjoyed family dinners, playing games, doing puzzles, camping trips, road trips, riding horses and days on the lake spent waterskiing. Dean also enjoyed gun smithing and was an avid big game and bird hunter, even raising hunting dogs and game birds on their family property. Dean retired at the age of 50, and moved to 14 acres in New Plymouth, Idaho. He appreciated the warmer climate for gardening and being closer to bird hunting. Dean and Kay would enjoy traveling south for the winter, visiting family & friends, and international travel that took them to several countries/continents. Dean was rarely seen without his camera on these trips and collected many photos of their travels. At home, he was a dedicated gardener & cattleman raising a garden full of produce, grape vines, fruit trees and cattle each year. A lover of sweets, he always made time to enjoy and share his favorites with family. His family loved and will always remember his popcorn, famous homemade ice cream, fudge, and lemon drop candy. It is fitting that Dean was born on Flag Day, as he faithfully and proudly would hang the American flag in front of each home he owned. He truly embodied the spirit of America—independent, hardworking, reliable, resourceful, resilient, dependable, loyal, and strong. Dean will live forever in our hearts and those who knew him are eternally grateful for the foundation he provided so many with his never-ending love and care. Even at the end of his life, he was still offering to help if anyone needed anything. Dean Cardin leaves behind the love of his life, Kay; their five children—Deana (Daniel) Moore, Vickie (Bill) Hopp, Angela (Jim) White, Jeff (BethAnn) Cardin, and Jeni (Perry) Podrebarac; 11 grandchildren—Kaylee (Ben) Lowen, Kyle (Tiffany) Hopp, Derek (Kristin Stratton) Hopp, Michael Hopp, Christopher (Apryl) Tolstoy, Cameron White, Emily White, Lakin (Joey) Winslow, Kenna Cardin, Pierre Podrebarac, and Jacob Podrebarac; 5 great grandchildren—Parker Lowen, Daniel Hernandez Moore, Miller Hopp, Madison Hopp, Jace Hopp, and Audree Hopp; his sister, Shirley Fullerton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hazel Cardin; brothers, Calvin Cardin, Donald Cardin, and Gerald Cardin; his granddaughter, Ali Moore; and niece Brenda (Cardin) Coats. At Dean’s request, a private immediate family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dean’s name to www.pheasantsforever.org, www.centraloregonautismovement.com, www.flagcityusa.us (Legacy Flag fund), or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

C. Dean Cardin

June 14, 1930 - May 2, 2024