Dean R. Hurlbut, 91, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025, surrounded by his family in St. Joseph, MO. He was born July 22, 1933, in Raymond, SD, the son of Lester and Mattle Hurlbut. Dean married Gloria Darlene Pittman on October 22, 1960.
He was raised on a diversified farm near Raymond and began his lifelong relationship with the Angus breed, showing 4-H steers and heifers. He graduated from Raymond High School where he was very active in baseball and basketball. He attended South Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in Animal Science in 1956. While at SDSU he was a member of the Livestock and Meats Judging teams. He was elected to the Student Body Board of Control representing the Agricultural Students and was active in many campus activities. Following graduation, he became Assistant County Extension Agent in Brown County, Aberdeen, SD, working with the 4-H and youth programs.
Dean moved to St. Joseph, MO in 1957 to join the American Angus Association as the Director of Junior Activities. He held that position for 13 years after which he became the Director of Activities until his retirement in 2000, giving 43 years of service to the Association.
He was deeply involved and committed to Junior Angus Activities, devoting his time and energy to the leadership of many young Angus breeders across America. He was instrumental in organizing the State Junior Angus Associations that still exist today. He organized the first National Junior Angus Show in 1965 and the first National Junior Showmanship Contest in 1967. Both events constitute the largest single activity of the American Angus Association's junior programs. Their success always held a special place in his heart. The young people were a big inspiration to him throughout the years.
In 1991, Dean was inducted into the Angus Heritage Foundation for his contribution to the improvement of the Angus breed and the Angus business. The 44th annual All American Angus Breeders Futurity was dedicated in his honor in appreciation of more than three decades of his support and service to the Futurity. He always enjoyed the competition in both the adult and junior Angus shows. He was the recipient of the 1993 Dr. Newell Hicks Vision Award, which is presented by the North American International Livestock Marketeers, at the National Western Livestock Show and Rodeo in Denver, CO. The 2000 National Junior Angus show in Des Moines, IA was dedicated in his honor for his leadership role in junior Angus activities.
The American Angus Association recognized the family farm, Hurlbut Angus Farm, as a Historic Angus Herd in 1996 for having been a continuous producer of Registered Angus Cattle for 50 years.
Dean was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association and a member of the Missouri Angus Association. He was a 50-year member of the Mosaic Lodge of Raymond, SD, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, St. Joseph, and Moila Shrine Temple of St. Joseph. He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and a member of the Ashland United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid hunter and liked to fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jim.
Survivors include his wife Gloria, 64 years, daughters, Stacy (Dennis) Jenkins, St. Joseph, MO, and Tracy (Ryan) Hurlbutt, Olathe, KS. Grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Des Moines, IA, Joshua and Jessica Hurlbut, Olathe, KS. Sister-in-law, Janet Hurlbut, Clark, SD, nephew, Rodney (Mary) Hurlbut, Raymond, SD, niece, Tami (Lowell) Pfleger, Rapid City, SD, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Angus Association's Foundation to the Dean Hurlbut Memorial Scholarship Fund, 3201 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506 or to the Noyes Home for Children, 801 Noyes Blvd., St. Joseph, MO 64506.
