Merrill Dean Baskins

Merrill “Dean” Baskins, 94, of Monroe, NC passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025. He was born in Enid, Oklahoma on September 2, 1930, son to the late Merrill Baskins and Vada Pankey Baskins. He was preceded in death by his wife Angelene “Angie” Baskins, and two half-sisters, Avenell Simard and Viva Noah. Dean is survived by his son, Jeffrey Baskins, his daughter, Jennifer Snelson, her husband Greg and his two grandsons, Grant and Jake.

Dean grew up in Watonga, Oklahoma where he thrived as a student and athlete. He played football, basketball, baseball and bass saxophone in the marching band. After graduating from Watonga High School, he attended his beloved Oklahoma University and graduated with a degree in Architecture. ROTC and a stint in the Army Corps of Engineers took him to Washington, DC where he met the love of his life, Angie Holbrook. They were married in August 1959 until Angie’s death in 2019, 2 months shy of their 60th anniversary.

Dean’s architectural designs spanned various projects from the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC to Marriott motels and restaurants to hospitals, schools and residences. His most prized design was the house he and Angie raised their children in and lived in for over 50 years. The Charlotte Observer wrote a newspaper article in 1969 describing how the house was built into the landscape of the lot and the kitchen he designed had a new concept of a “kitchen island”.

Dean was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Monroe; He was a quiet servant for over fifty years who the church knew they could call when needed. Dean delivered thousands of Meals on Wheels during the years he volunteered with them. At the age of 80, he went to Haiti on a mission trip to help rebuild a damaged church.

In his retirement years he enjoyed playing golf, tending to bonsai plants and vacationing in Cherry Grove with his longtime Monroe friends. His family always came first. Whether it was helping Jeff with home projects or Jennifer with her children, he always showed up. His grandsons called him Pop and they treasure the joy he brought them.

The family would like to thank the staff of Legacy Heights Senior Living Community and VIA Health Partners for their wonderful care during Dean’s final years.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 6, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Monroe, 109 W. Morrow Ave, Monroe, NC 28112. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 PM until 12:45 PM in the church Parlor.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to

First Baptist Church of Monroe, 109 W. Morrow Ave, Monroe, NC 28112, or Best Buddies of North Carolina

www.bestbuddies.org/northcarolina/donate

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care for the Baskins Family.