Monroe Lee “Bunk” Dean, 78-year-old Vinita resident passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Heartsworth Senior Living in Vinita. He was born on October 1, 1941 in Vinita to Floyd M. and Florene (Holston) Dean. Bunk attended school in Vinita, then served his country during Vietnam in the United States Navy. He was in the Airborne Early Warning Barrier Squadron Pacific Midway Detachment and was a helicopter anti-submarine squadron member. Bunk married Barbara (Mercer) on April 23, 1983 in Spavinaw. The family includes his wife Barbara of the home; a brother, Harold Dean and wife Lorena of Vinita; sister, Willa Melton and husband Jack of Vinita; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; special friend, Jimmy Griffith of Vinita and mother in-law Bonnie Dean of Vinita. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Isaac Penix, sisters, Mavis and husband Herbert Russell, Myra and husband John Bobbitt. The family wants to thank the staff and all the nurses at Heartsworth for their care of Monroe, he dearly loved you. The graveside service and military rites will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are under the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Service of Vinita.