Dean Rathmell

Dean Rathmell, 71, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024. Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. 

Dean was born October 31, 1952 in Graham. He married Lisa Grimes June 9, 1973 in Graham. Dean served ten years in the National Guard. Like his father before him, Dean pursued a career in law enforcement. He worked in the field for twenty plus years including time at the Young County Sheriffs Department, Graham Police Department, as a patrolman and CID, and with the Cross Timbers Narcotics Task Force. Dean was affectionally referred to as Dean-O or Papa San by most of his colleagues. Dean loved being in law-enforcement. He also worked closely with GPD’s organization for teens interested in law enforcement called, Explorers. This organization got young people involved in law enforcement in an interactive way. Several of the young people Dean worked with are currently active duty in the field today including our current GPD Chief. Dean had such a passion for law enforcement. He cared greatly for the safety and the betterment of this community, county, state and country,

Dean’s greatest accomplishment was his marriage of 51 years to the love of his life, Lisa. They raised three outstanding daughters, one of whom was inspired to pursue a career in criminal justice. He taught each one of the girls to drive, because he jokingly said he was a professional driver, and he took them to the shooting range to learn how to handle a gun. Dean and Lisa enjoyed their frequent trips to Fredericksburg for some good German food and some quality time together. Dean loved playing golf, and listening to his music, especially the old country stuff. Anyone who knew him knew that he had a big heart, and that he had a lot of love for each of them. He never stopped showing and telling us all he loved us. You never left him without an,

”I love You.” He will be forever loved by all of us.

 Rest in Peace 127 

Survivors include; wife, Lisa Rathmell of Graham; daughters, Brandi Moore and husband Scott of Glen Rose, Angi Lowe of Tolar, Amber Castle and husband Tye of Graham; grandchildren, Marc Moore, Averi Milligan, Arianna Castle, Ashton Castle, Maggie Moore, Cooper Lowe, Carter Lowe, Grace Lowe. Siblings, Debbie Shifflett and husband Doug of Burnet, Becky Shifflett and husband David of Graham, Sherry Harrison and husband John of Graham, and Terry Fifer and husband Daryl of Odessa. 

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Jean and Douglas McQueen and Norene and Claude Rathmell, and his in-laws, J.B. and Betty Grimes.