Alfred Dean VanZant

Alfred Dean VanZant 1928 - 2018

Alfred Dean VanZant, friends and family are invited to attend a Masonic service to be held graveside at Union Cemetery, 720 E Potomac Ave, Bakersfield, California, 93307, Saturday August 4, 2018, at 10:00am. Alfred Dean VanZant passed away in Santa Cruz, California, July 13, 2018. He was born in Whitter, California on April 4, 1928, to Mary and Jack VanZant. Growing up on the Kern River oil lease he attended Aztec School in Oil Center, Kern County High School (now Bakersfield High School), Bakersfield Junior College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and received his master's in education from Fresno State. He served his country in the U.S. Army at the time of the Korean War. After his time in the service he started his decades long occupation in education both as a teacher and an administrator. Alfred "Dean" loved life and lived it to its fullest. He never stopped teaching or learning, the world to him was a classroom for both. He belonged to many organizations throughout his life, the Petroleum Pioneers Production Club, he was a lifetime member of the West Kern Oil Museum, The Retired Teachers Association, the Mason's, the Girl Scouts, Kiwanis International, and many more worthwhile groups. Last October, accompanied by his daughter Maryjane Mudryk, he took the trip of a life time to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight. He a had marvelous time visiting the memorials, the houses of Congress, sharing stories with former and current service men and women, and getting to meet some of our representatives. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Jane, parents, Mary and Jack, his sister, Betty Emert, son Bert VanZant, and grandson Scott VanZant. He is survived by his brother John VanZant and wife Goldiaree of Camarillo, daughters Maryjane Mudryk and Nancy Coyle & husband Pat of Bakersfield. Grandchildren Hope Youngblood husband Dave, Marshall Coyle, wife Chesa, Holly Lucido husband Robby, Gary VanZant wife Stephanie, Melissa and Mary VanZant, and Crystal Mudryk. Great-grandchildren, Nathen and Sara Mudryk, Spencer and Clare Youngblood, Chloe and Cannon Coyle, Eleanor Lucido, Julie and Katie VanZant. Great-great granddaughter Alyna Mudryk. He his also survived by several nieces and nephews. In recent years he had been enjoying living at Brookdale Senior Living. This 4th of July parade, he was their Grand Marshall. At the time of his passing he was vacationing in Santa Cruz, California. The last days of his life, were filled with the love and company of his family, eating ice cream, riding up and down the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and wharf on his scooter enjoying all the sights. Alfred Dean VanZant lived to be 90 years young. A celebration of his life will be held at the Masonic Temple, 1920 18th Street following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to The Kern County Honor Flight, 8200 Stockdale Hwy Ste M-10 Box 255 Bakersfield, CA 93311.

Alfred Dean VanZant
1928 - 2018

Alfred Dean VanZant, friends and family are invited to attend a Masonic service to be held graveside at Union Cemetery, 720 E Potomac Ave, Bakersfield, California, 93307, Saturday August 4, 2018, at 10:00am. Alfred Dean VanZant passed away in Santa Cruz, California, July 13, 2018. He was born in Whitter, California on April 4, 1928, to Mary and Jack VanZant. Growing up on the Kern River oil lease he attended Aztec School in Oil Center, Kern County High School (now Bakersfield High School), Bakersfield Junior College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and received his master's in education from Fresno State. He served his country in the U.S. Army at the time of the Korean War. After his time in the service he started his decades long occupation in education both as a teacher and an administrator. Alfred "Dean" loved life and lived it to its fullest. He never stopped teaching or learning, the world to him was a classroom for both. He belonged to many organizations throughout his life, the Petroleum Pioneers Production Club, he was a lifetime member of the West Kern Oil Museum, The Retired Teachers Association, the Mason's, the Girl Scouts, Kiwanis International, and many more worthwhile groups. Last October, accompanied by his daughter Maryjane Mudryk, he took the trip of a life time to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight. He a had marvelous time visiting the memorials, the houses of Congress, sharing stories with former and current service men and women, and getting to meet some of our representatives. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Jane, parents, Mary and Jack, his sister, Betty Emert, son Bert VanZant, and grandson Scott VanZant. He is survived by his brother John VanZant and wife Goldiaree of Camarillo, daughters Maryjane Mudryk and Nancy Coyle & husband Pat of Bakersfield. Grandchildren Hope Youngblood husband Dave, Marshall Coyle, wife Chesa, Holly Lucido husband Robby, Gary VanZant wife Stephanie, Melissa and Mary VanZant, and Crystal Mudryk. Great-grandchildren, Nathen and Sara Mudryk, Spencer and Clare Youngblood, Chloe and Cannon Coyle, Eleanor Lucido, Julie and Katie VanZant. Great-great granddaughter Alyna Mudryk. He his also survived by several nieces and nephews. In recent years he had been enjoying living at Brookdale Senior Living. This 4th of July parade, he was their Grand Marshall. At the time of his passing he was vacationing in Santa Cruz, California. The last days of his life, were filled with the love and company of his family, eating ice cream, riding up and down the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and wharf on his scooter enjoying all the sights. Alfred Dean VanZant lived to be 90 years young. A celebration of his life will be held at the Masonic Temple, 1920 18th Street following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to The Kern County Honor Flight, 8200 Stockdale Hwy Ste M-10 Box 255 Bakersfield, CA 93311.