Dean Pence Proffitt

A memorial service for Dean Pence Proffitt, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Dean went home to be with the Lord on January 8^th, 2024 at NHC Healthcare.

A lifelong resident of Howell County, Dean grew up on a dairy and sheep farm in Pottersville, the son of Hubert and Jesse Pence Proffitt.  He and his twin brother, Don were born on October 14, 1934 and attended a little country school, walking a mile and a half though the woods and pastures everyday to get to school.  They always used to worry about the mean cows and had to hurry home after school to milk. For a time, they lived in Columbia while Hubert worked for the University.  Dean graduated from West Plains High School in 1952, where he was active in FFA and played football.  After graduation, Dean attended the University of Missouri in Columbia.  He was a member of FarmHouse fraternity, worked on the University dairy and swine farms, and graduated with a BS in Agriculture in 1956.  He was a lifelong supporter and fan of Mizzou, receiving recognition for his lifelong support of the University Extension office as well as the Agricultural Leadership Award in 1996.  Dean married his wife, June, on January 26, 1978, and enjoyed a life of service, love, and commitment for nearly 46 years.  Dean had a lifelong love of agriculture and operated Proffitt Farms Dairy for several years, bottling pasteurized milk in glass jars and selling it though Proffitt’s Milk Jug in West Plains and later, to local grocery stores. They also raised hogs and beef cattle, and for a brief time raised chickens and sheep.  After Dean retired from farming in 1996, they moved to West Plains where he worked as a real estate agent and for his son, Jeff, in excavating and trucking.  He also taught many people how to drive a truck through the South Central Career Center Truck Driver Training program.

Dean believed in the importance of community service and leadership.  He had a servant’s heart throughout his life, and taught his children and grandchildren the importance of giving back to this community.  He served on the Board of Directors for Farm Credit. He was a member of the Fair View school board for 18 years, served as President of the Missouri School Board Association, and was a member of the National School Board Association.  Dean served as Howell County Southern Commissioner and Presiding Commissioner, where he was integral in bringing 911 to Howell County.  He also was a board member of Ozark Action, recognized for his service from the Chamber of Commerce with a Chairman’s award for his role in Hurricane Katrina relief, and with the Honorary Member for Life Award in 2019.  He was also President of Rotary Club, and served with many other organizations.  Dean was always ready to help anyone at any time.  Dean was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in West Plains, where he attended faithfully for over 60 years and sang in the church choir until the decline of his health.  He served there on many committees, worked tirelessly on many mission trips, and loved every member of his Seekers Sunday School class.

He is survived by his wife June, of West Plains; daughters, Amanda (Justin) Rutledge of West Plains, Pam (Gene) Rowland of Dexter, Kelli (David) Allen of West Plains; sons, Jeff (Juanita) Proffitt of Pottersville and Kyle (Becki) Hogue of Wentzville; nine grandchildren Allison, Anna, Ashlyn, Emily, Jack, Jammie, Jon, Maddy, and Noah; ten great-grandchildren; his twin brother, Don (Carolyn); and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Kirk Hogue and one brother and sister-in-law, Perry Alfred Proffitt and his wife, Gwen, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m., Saturday, at First United Methodist Church.  A private burial will be at Pottersville Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or West Plains High School FFA Dean Proffitt Scholarship and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.