Clarence Dean Gatch

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Clarence Dean Gatch, 89, of Marianna died Tuesday morning, April 21, 2015, at Marianna Health and Rehabilitation Center, after a long, strong and brave battle with Parkinson's disease. Dean Gatch was born in Eastland, Texas. He and his brothers grew up in Eustis, FL. He served as a Marine in WWII, after which he returned to central Florida. He married Juanita Jeter in 1950 when he was attending Stetson University in Deland, Fl. He and his wife had five children, all daughters (Elaine, Salem, Becky, Cyndy, and Rachel). He moved to Graceville in 1973 to pursue his degree at the Baptist Bible Institute. Dean Gatch was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister in 1951. He served as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ for most of his adult life, preaching in small rural churches in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. He lived in Marianna for the past 35 years, the last five years being lovingly cared for at the nursing home. Since retirement, he has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Marianna. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Juanita Gatch; two brothers and their wives (CB & Mary Gatch and Bill & Sharon Gatch); five daughters, two sons-in-law; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father (Henry Gatch), Mother (Nova Gatch) and brother (Ray Gatch). Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015 at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel with his brother, CB Gatch officiating and sister-in-law, Sharon Gatch will provide the music. Interment will follow in Cow Pen Pond Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel. If desired, contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 4215 Kelson Ave. Suite E. Marianna, FL 32446 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 in his name.