The family of Dean H. Key has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their Hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Dean Key, 90, served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, from 27 June 1949 until 8 November 1952. He enlisted with his two best friends, Jim Blalock and Jim Sheets. Dean was sent to basic training and "A" school in Mississippi. He then spent the rest of the war assigned to Alaska where he helped maintain the "DEW Line" (Distant Early Warning Line - a series of radar facilities one the
western edge of Alaska used to detect incoming Russian aircraft). He was involuntarily extended once, for just a few months and was discharged from McChord Air Force Base in Washington State. At the time of his honorable discharge, he was an E-5 Staff Sergeant. He was very proud of his Air Force service.
Following his release from active duty, Dean went to work at Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego helping to support the war effort. He eventually went to college and later worked as an engineer for several major corporations designing manufacturing equipment. Dean met Lucille Wilabe, who was a registered nurse, at a dance hall in San Diego and the two were married in Riverside on December 8, 1961. Dean and Lucille never had any children, but raised and loved their basset hound, Bimbo for several years. They loved to travel and enjoyed cooking. Their lives revolved around each other until Lucille's death on December 30, 2017. Dean struggled letting go of Lucille and rather than placing her in a cemetery niche, he built a small shrine for her on top of one of her armories in their bedroom. She was laid to rest on November 12, 2021 and it was at about that point that Dean's health began to deteriorate rapidly. It was almost as if he knew Lucille was taken care of and he could let go of this life.
Dean suffered from a number of health related issues in the last few years of his life, but he was able to travel a few times and enjoyed spending time with family. Dean died in his sleep on the night of Saturday, March 12, 2022. Dean was a proud American and Patriot to the end.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the family residence to Miramar National Cemetery, a distance of approximately 28 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Monday 23 May 2022:1200 - Stage at Von's parking lot, 1000 W. El Norte Parkway, Escondido, CA
https://goo.gl/maps/vEdwxnKDSxj7dE1F71215 - Mission Briefing
1220 – KSU to family home (address will be provided during the Mission Briefing)
1230 – Flag line for transfer of our Hero to family vehicle
1245 – KSU to Miramar National Cemetery
https://goo.gl/maps/q2NhWX6c9tUNxtxD71330 - (Est) Arrival at Miramar National Cemetery
1400 - Flag Line, Funeral Service with Full Military Honors
Stacey McCarthy “Lil Bit”
So Cal PGR Ride Captain(619) 277-5176
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
