Dean Austen Lord

Dean Austen Lord (Lord with a little L), 71, passed away on January 27, 2023

He was born in Lafayette, IN to his parents Austen R. and Iona M. (Rush) Lord.

Dean was born and raised just outside of West Lafayette, IN, in Greenhill.  He spent much of his time with his brothers outdoors, running through the creek, hunting, and helping farmers near their home.  He attended Benton Central High School, where he excelled in all of his classes, even earning an all-expenses paid scholarship to Purdue University.  Dean never wanted to be stuck behind a desk, always wanting to move and work with his hands, so he turned down the scholarship to begin work and pursue the love of his life, Roxann. After being worn down, she agreed to marry him, and on Father’s Day, June 20, 1971, they began their journey of their own family.  A year later they welcomed their first daughter, Heather.  Four years later they welcomed daughter Mandy, another four years saw the addition of Jessica, and six years later they rounded out their brood with daughter Elisheva (Brie.) Dean’s biggest joy in life was his family.  His number one priority was making sure that they were always taken care of and provided for.  He spent many long hours on the butcher shop floor or behind the wheel of his semi-trucks making sure that there was always enough.  In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time outdoors.  He loved to go target shooting, go bowling with friends through the church league and later his grandchildren, and to go golfing with friends from church (no matter how bad he may have been at it.)  Dean also spent years as a basketball coach for his daughters and later as a personal cheer section for all the grandchildren’s special events that he could come to. Dean retired from USF Holland in August of 2020, on his 69th birthday.  Since that time, he spent most of his time antagonizing Roxann and enjoying not having to answer to anyone but himself.  “Oh Lord…”  “Yeeeeesssss…” If you feel so inspired, Dean loved all things Purdue, so please feel free to wear Purdue apparel for his services.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of almost 52 years, Roxann McLaughlin Lord; His four daughters: Heather (Mark) Abbott, Mandy (Chris) Lines, Jessica Kunkel, Elisheva (Shawn) Lord-Spence; His 7 Granddaughters Kyla (Daniel Hawkins Sr.) Abbott, Robin (David) Simpson, Meggan Abbott, Kaitlynn (Ben) Allman, Quinlynn Kunkel, Kallie-Ann Lines, Makailynn Kunkel; His 3 Grandsons: Anthony Lines, David Lord-Spence, Jesse-Dean Lord-Spence; His 5 Great-Grandchildren: Elena Hawkins, Raeleigh Hawkins, Leon Hawkins, Annabelle Brown, Willow Simpson and bonus great-grandson Daniel Hawkins Jr.; His Brother Dennis (Sandi) Lord, many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of family and friends that will miss him tremendously.

He is preceded in death by his mother Iona and his father Austen, sisters Betty Joan Lord and Cassandra Hunter;  Brothers Philip Lord, Gene Lord, Duane Lord, Bruce Lord Sr. and his nephew Gerry Lord

Funeral Services will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis. Visitation will be on Wednesday, 2/8 from 4pm to 7pm. The next day, there will be additional visitation from 12pm to 1pm with the funeral service beginning at 1pm. He will be laid to rest in Washington Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Give to Voice of the Martyrs Korea through the New Horizons Foundation at https://newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/444/.