Herman T. Deane

Herman Terrell Deane, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away July 27, 2021 in Harlingen, Texas at age 93.  He was born May 23, 1928 in Chilton, Texas to Herman Brown and Frieda (Willi) Brown.  His mother later divorced his father and married Preston Deane.

A child of the Great Depression, life was hard and they never lived in one place for very long.  To help support his mother and stepfather, Herman began working at an early age and only completed the ninth grade.  In spite of everything, he had a very successful life and exemplified hard work, honesty, and integrity in all that he did his entire lifetime.

In 1947, he met the love of his life, Dixie Odell Littleton, and a year later at the age of twenty, they were married at the First Baptist Church of Harlingen, Texas. The happy couple remained faithful members of First Baptist Church until their health precluded it just a few years ago.

Their great love story lasted 73 years and they remain an inspiration to their entire family.  Together they raised three children, creating the stable and happy childhood for them that Herman never had.  From spending many vacations with his sons at Camp Perry as Assistant Scout Master to attending every dance recital for his daughter, he always was there with unwavering support for all their activities.  Herman taught his young children to swim, ride bicycles, and would amaze them by skateboarding or doing cartwheels in the yard.  Family vacations every summer were unforgettable adventures, whether it was camping in a tent on the beach at South Padre Island or staying at campsites in state and national parks all the way to Yellowstone in a Volkswagen Bug pulling a small trailer with all their gear. Those unforgettable adventures made for many of the happiest memories of his family’s life.

After working for Sechrist-Hall Company for 27 years, and when most are thinking about retirement, Herman started his own commercial roofing company at age 58.  He was told by one bank officer that he was too old to start a business and he should go and sell shoes instead!  Thankfully, he ignored the banker’s advice and, in 1986, he founded Rio Roofing, Inc., which today is led by second and third generation family members and employs over fifty dedicated employees.

In the early years, Herman would spend many evenings loading the roofing trucks with materials for the next day’s work and his beloved Dixie would do the books by hand at the kitchen table.  The company became a great success and, in recognition of his expertise in commercial roofing industry, he was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. That reputation of excellence continues until today.

Herman had a deep love for the outdoors, teaching his sons to hunt and fish, camping, and in later years, he and Dixie loved taking trips to Big Bend and the Chisos Mountains where he would hike the trails even into his 70s!

His greatest enjoyment, outside of his family, was fishing in the Laguna Madre.  He continued to go out on his boat until he was 87 years old.  Herman and Dixie enjoyed spending time at their beach house on South Padre Island and loved taking his freshly caught fish to The Brewery to be fried up in beer batter.

Herman was a man of large stature and quiet demeanor; he was a true gentleman until the end.

He is survived by his sons, Bill Deane (Anita) and Bob Deane; daughter, Barbara Deane Gonzalez (Thomas); grandchildren, Jeffrey Deane, Jacob Deane, Leah Deane (Tami), Rick Deane, Meagan Gonzalez Noble (Kevin), Molly Gonzalez Hichens (Hedley), Melissa Gonzalez Wahrmund (Richard); and great-grandchildren, Hazel Deane-Malone, Ellis Deane-Malone, Ada Magid, Everett Noble, Sawyer Noble, Julia Noble, Austin Hichens, Avery Hichens, Quinn Hichens, and Peighton Wahrmund.

Herman’s family wishes to thank his faithful and trusted caregiver, Paul Villa, who helped him for many years, as well as Yvette Cano Adams and her staff for the loving care he received in his final days at Cano Home.

The Deane family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 30, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A graveside service and interment will take place Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.  Rev. Chris Hall will officiate.

Floral tributes are welcome. Memorial donations to your favorite charity in Herman’s honor are also appreciated.