Charles Dean Catoe

Charles Dean Catoe, 77, of Niceville, FL, passed away Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous, year-long battle with brain cancer.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Mary Alice, and his sister Ann Jolly. He is survived by his daughter Carolyn, her husband Les, and their children Allison and Cynthia; his son Charlie, his wife Georgia, and their children Walker, his wife Danielle, and their son Benjamin, Liam, and Christiane; and his son Jim, his wife Jenny, and their children Caitlyn and Sarah.

He is also survived by Ann’s children, Doug Jolly, his wife Bethany, and their children Becca and Michael; Liesel Donaldson, her husband Jay, and their children Kay and Max; and David Jolly, his wife Heidi, and their son Ayden.

Born on Dec. 10, 1939 in Chesterfield County, SC, to Ernest and Alma Catoe, Dean moved with his family to Dunedin, FL in 1946.  He attended Clearwater High School, where he met the love of his life, Mary Alice.  After graduating high school in 1958, Dean married Mary Alice and began his Air Force career at Hahn AB, Germany. His 22 years of military service included mobile missile transport, flying C-141 Airlift, WC-130 Typhoon Chasers and AC-130 Gunships that took the family from Del Rio, TX, to Guam, to Dayton, Ohio, to Ft. Walton Beach, FL.  After retiring from the Air Force, Dean had the opportunity to work for Lockheed in Marietta, GA. Years later, he and his wife moved to Naples, FL to build pontoon boats. In 1991, Dean and Mary moved to Niceville, FL to actually retire. Through the years, they have enjoyed visiting with their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to view a video celebrating Dean’s life on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at 2:30 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 3 pm, at Crosspoint United Methodist Church – Bluewater Bay Campus, 4400 E. Hwy 20, Suite 600, Niceville, FL.

Dean was a wonderful husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Dean’s name to the Sharing and Caring of Okaloosa County, Niceville Center or to Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church.  

The family would like to offer their heartfelt appreciation to everyone who offered their prayers and support during Dean’s illness. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who cared for him at University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital and Emerald Coast Cancer Center.  Thank you to Emerald Coast Hospice for their kindness and compassion taking care of Dean and the family.  Thank you to wonderful neighbors and the church families at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church and Crosspoint United Methodist Church for all their loving support during this difficult time.

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