Dean Layton Whiteley

Dean Layton Whiteley of Pasco, WA was born April 6, 1940 in Pendleton, Oregon the son of Layton and Dorothy (Heberlein) Whiteley. He passed away in Kennewick, WA on January 23, 2025 at the age of 84.

Dean grew up on a ranch outside of Athena, Oregon. He attended schools in Athena where he also played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Athena High School in the Class of 1958. In September of 1958, he was selected to play in the State East/West Shriner’s High School Football game. After high school, he attended Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande and Oregon State University in Corvallis. Dean married during his college years and from this union two daughters were born.

Dean took a job with the Hermiston Police Department where he worked from 1964 until 1966. In 1966 he began working as a Special Agent for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1986 he began working with the Hazmat Department for the Railroad. In 1996 he was promoted to the Hazmat Regional Manager of the Western Region a position he held until retiring in 2000. He worked for the railroad for a total of 34 years.

Dean enjoyed fishing, especially his yearly trips to Crescent City, CA where he and Rosie enjoyed salmon and bottom fishing for many years.

Dean married Rosa “Rosie” Linda Rodriguez in Reno, NV on September 12, 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Rosie; daughter, Jennifer; two sisters, Deanna Ferguson and Debbie Hayward; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, JoLynne Whiteley in 2024 and brothers-in-law, Bill Ferguson, Dick Parnell and Vern Hayward.

At his request no services will be held. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

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