Garry Dearborn

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April 22, 1948 – November 17, 2020

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  • Garry Dearborn
    Garry Dearborn
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Garry Dearborn, 72, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

A celebration of life was held November 23, 2020 at the St. Lawrence Community Church in St. Lawrence.

Garry was born April 22, 1948 in Miller to Dwight and Evelyn (Johnson) Dearborn. He attended rural schools through eighth grade. He participated in basketball, football and track at Sunshine Bible Academy, where he graduated in 1966. He then graduated from Southern State College in Springfield with an associate’s degree in auto mechanics in 1968.

On June 20, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Johnson of Firesteel. They farmed in Hand County until retirement.

Garry became a farmer, partnering with his parents and brother, Randy. His son, Chad, now operates the family farms.

Following his dad’s death, Garry assumed his position in serving the local Rural Electric Cooperative as a director. He became president of the Dakota Energy Cooperative board and served until his death. He served on the South Dakota Rural Electric Association board and represented SDREA on the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture board. He also served on the Ohio Township board for several years.

Garry took great pride in his son's stock car racing adventures and faithfully took part in Chad's pit crew.

Near the end of Garry’s life, he told Carol, “If I wanted to live to be a 100, I would have taken better care of myself and chosen a different occupation. Better off doing something I enjoyed!”

Thankful to have shared in his life are his wife of 50 years, Carol Dearborn of Miller; son Chad Dearborn of Miller; daughter Jeannie Short of Rapid City; and grandchildren Kathlynn, Alexander and Kristoffer Short of Rapid City; brother Randy Dearborn of Miller; sisters Sharyl Jasper of Spearfish and Mary Dearborn of Sioux Falls; his Johnson brothers- and sisters-in-law; several nieces, nephews and cousins and many dear friends.

Garry was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Ralph and Ruth Johnson; brother-in-law, Paul Klamm and son-in-law, Mason Short.

Memorials will be directed to the Sunshine Bible Academy Agriculture Education.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller is in charge of arrangements.

(Carol Dearborn’s address is 21342 359th Ave., Miller, SD 57362.)