Denver Dean Anthony

Denver Dean Anthony, 77, of Midland, passed away peacefully at home on May, 24, 2024 in Midland.

He was born on September 27, 1946, to James Thomas and Arlis Lovetta Anthony and grew up in Lamesa.  On December 12, 1964, he married the love of his life, Pamela Anthony, in Lamesa.  After settling in Midland, Pam and Dean shared a special and unique bond and union of marriage for over 56 years.  She preceded him in death on March 24, 2021.  Pam was the center of Dean’s universe and he adored her.  She was the beat of his heart and the love of his life and he steadily looked forward to their heavenly reunion these past few years.

Although a simple man with simple pleasures like fishing and Nascar, Dean was a man full of wisdom and his kids and grandkids always sought out his opinion on any decision they needed to make.  He was their encourager, their role model, and a mentor.  Dean was a hardworking man who valued family and instilled those values in his children.  He showed his family that through adversity and pain you stick with those you love.  He led by example and his loyalty in caring for Pam day and night during the most difficult days of her life was a testimony to his character.    To Dean’s kids, he was “the man who hung the moon.”

Left to cherish Dean’s memory are his son Darren Anthony of Midland, and his daughter Karen Baker as well as her husband Zeke, who was like another son, all of Midland.  He also leaves behind five grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Popeye”; Dax Riley and his wife Katie of Ft. Worth, Payne Anthony and his wife Novie, Lane Anthony and his wife Kristana, all of Midland, PO 2 Jantzen Baker, U.S. Navy, Norfolk, Virginia, and his adored and only granddaughter, Krozbi Baker, of Midland and an adopted granddaughter Grace Gnadt of Midland.  Dean is also survived by 3 great grandchildren, Aibileen Riley of Ft. Worth, Rowdy Anthony and Kinsley Anthony, both of Midland and a sister, Loveta Virginia (Cissy) Todd of Lamesa, a sister and brother-in-law Frank and Vicki Crawford of Midland, and a sister-in-law Sandy Freeman of Midland, brother-in-law Benny and wife Connie Flowers of Lamesa, and cousin Deborah Lester of Lamesa.

As already mentioned, Dean was preceded in death by Pam in 2021, his parents James Thomas Anthony (Whitie) and Arlis Lovita Anthony, his brothers Clyde Thomas and James Lemuel (JL) Anthony, his brother-in-law Jerry G. Todd, and his mother and father-in-law, James and Evelyn Newton.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 30 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  The family will have a private burial Friday, May 31 with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Clark Racca officiating.  Honorary pallbearers are Darren Dean Anthony, Zeke Baker, Dax Taylor Riley, Darren Payne Anthony, Lane Thomas Anthony, Jerry Wayne Todd, Frank Crawford, Trent Crawford, Walter Reeves, and James Monroe.

A special thanks to Hospice of Midland for their wonderful care during Dean’s last days.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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