EVANS, Ga. - Mr. Dean Bradford Maples, 60, entered into rest on Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the arms of his beloved wife, Carmen, following a valiant battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, July 30, 2007, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 4232 Evans to Locks Road, Evans, with Pastor David Keener officiating. There will be a family and friends fellowship, at the Church, immediately following the services. Mr. Maples will be carried to Rochester, NY, for further services and entombment, at White Haven Memorial Park. Dean was born, November 27, 1946, in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Chicago Vocational High School and obtained an Associate of Science Degree, from Dekalb Technical College. He served as a Staff Sergeant, in the United States Air Force, during the Vietnam era, from 1966 to 1970. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1970. He served as an Avionics Engineer, on C-121 Constellation aircraft. He was the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He was an employee of Eastman Kodak and held various Managerial positions, retiring from Kodak, on October 31, 2003, after 31 years service. Following his retirement, from Kodak, the family relocated, to the Augusta area. His most recent employment was with Culpepper Lumber Ace Hardware, in Evans. Dean was an avid amateur radio operator and held an Extra Class FCC license, with the call sign K4EQQ. He was a life member, of the American Radio Relay League and Secretary and Co-Founder, of the Columbia County Amateur Radio Club. He served as the club's Public Information Officer, for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Maples. He was father to Brittany Maples, Army First Sergeant Jim Peterson and wife Janine and Don Peterson and wife Marianne. He is also survived by his grandsons, Austin, Jacob, Liam and Joshua, mother in law, Carmen Carlo "Nana", sister in law, Aida Bruno and husband Ralph, brothers in law, Jaime Casellas and companion Robert and Orlando Carlo and wife Sandy. He also leaves behind his faithful pups, Max and Simon. The family will receive friends today, Sunday July 29, 2007, at Platt's Funeral Home Belair Road, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Pallbearers will be Edward Pancake, John Crawford, Gerald Miller, Dennis LaPierre, Tom O'Neal, Jack Endres, Scott Stevens and Shane Pangle. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made, in Dean's name, to the Humane Society or the Art Patchin Endowment c/o University Health Care Foundation, 2100 Central Ave., Suite D-1, Augusta, GA 30904. Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809, 706-860-6166.

Published in The Augusta Chronicle from July 28 to July 29, 2007