Howard Dean “Dean” Grouns

September 22, 1956 – July 11, 2026

Howard Dean “Dean” Grouns, 69, of Ethete, Wyoming, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at his home in Ethete, Wyoming, with his family by his side.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Davis Funeral Home in Riverton, Wyoming. Military honors will be conducted following the service at the funeral home. A reception will follow at the Riverton Elks Lodge, and a semi-truck convoy will lead to and from the service in Dean’s honor.

Dean was born on September 22, 1956, in Lander, Wyoming, the son of Howard Neal Grouns and Margaret Lynell (Farthing) Grouns.

He was of the Methodist faith.

Dean attended Hudson Elementary School through the fourth grade before continuing his education at Jefferson Elementary School in Riverton for the fifth and sixth grades. He attended Riverton Junior High and Riverton High School through the ninth grade before transferring to Lander Valley High School for the tenth and eleventh grades. He later earned his GED in 1981.

Growing up, Dean enjoyed athletics. He played basketball during the fifth and sixth grades and wrestled throughout the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades.

Dean proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1975 until 1981. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and upon his honorable discharge from active duty, continued his service in the United States Army Reserves.

For more than five decades, Dean made his living as a professional truck driver, beginning in 1973 and continuing until 2024. He was also a skilled diesel mechanic and worked for several companies, including Little America and TA. Trucking was more than a career for Dean; it was a way of life. Beginning in 1986, he proudly owned six different semi-trucks over the years.

Dean spent most of his life in Fremont County. At the age of 17, he moved to Natrona County before returning to Fremont County at the age of 22.

He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and ranch life. He enjoyed working with horses and cattle, farming, hunting, fishing, and leatherworking. Above all, Dean treasured spending time with his family and friends. His greatest joy in life was being a father and, especially, a Papa to his three grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of his life. His family will always remember him as the best dad and Papa they could have ever asked for.

He is survived by his daughter, Desaray Gordon and her husband, Jess; his grandchildren, Madsyn Grouns, Kayden Grouns, and Paisley Gordon; his brother, David Grouns; his aunt, Naomi Sullivan; his uncle, Paul Farthing and wife, Kate; and numerous extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Neal Grouns and Margaret Lynell (Farthing) Sanders; his stepfather, Kenneth Leon Sanders; his sister, Bethany Lynn Grouns; his sister-in-law, Debbie Grouns; his grandparents, T. W. “Buss” Grouns and Edna Leon (Burr) Grouns, Richard Eaton Farthing and Grace Margaret McKinney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tough Enough Cancer Fund in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, Wyoming 82501.

Online condolences for the family may be made at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.

Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.