Murphys, CA…Harold “Dean” Pendergrass, 79, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2023. He was born November 16, 1943, in San Antonio Texas, the first son to Paul and Virginia (Hampton) Pendergrass. The family eventually settled in Alameda, CA and Dean graduated in 1961 from Encinal High School. In 1962 he became a father after the birth of his only son James Paul. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as Military Police during the Vietnam War. Upon return, he married Sharon Kay Stucky on July 1, 1967. He began a career with the Oakland Police Department patrolling the streets both in a patrol car and on foot, and the highways on a motorcycle. Dean and Sharon settled in Union City, CA where they began raising 3 daughters and made many lifelong friends.

In the summer of 1981, after Dean retired from the police force, he gathered some buddies and built a new house for his family in Murphys, CA where he began a house painting business. He was very active in the lives of his daughters, guiding them through 4H and FFA, coaching girls’ softball, and working hard to fulfill their every need growing up. Never one to sit idle, he immersed himself in his many hobbies including cabinet making and woodworking, auto restoration, making stained glass, raising pheasants and other farm animals, hunting, gardening, growing things in his greenhouse, and teaching himself to play guitar. His greatest pleasure was horseback riding and taking long pack rides into his beloved local back country to camp and fish.

He spent his retirement traveling by RV all over the USA with Sharon and dear friends, a favorite destination being Alaska. In the fall of 1996, he became a grandfather and he began his “Papa” phase where he spoiled 9 grandchildren with endless time, energy, and guidance.

Dean will always be remembered by his family and friends as a “go to” guy, or someone you go to when times are hard. If you needed shelter, he would give you a place to stay. If you needed work he would give you a job. If your feet were wet he’d buy you boots. If you had something broken he’d help you fix it. If you needed guidance he would listen and advise. He was always first to “circle the wagons” and do his best to help.

He is preceded in death by both his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Sharon, son Jim Vawter (Jane), daughters Debra Stewart (Bryon), Denise Marshall (Greg), and Dina Duquette. Grandchildren Brandon and Madeline Marshall, Kevin and Elizabeth Stewart, Katie and Emily Duquette and Jason, Andrew and Nicole Vawter. Also survived by his brother Paul Pendergrass (Diane) and nephew Adam (Judy) of Sheridan, Arkansas.

A private graveside service will be held on April 29th followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm at the Murphys Hotel (upstairs banquet room) in Murphys, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Dean’s name.