Rodger Dean Ferrell age 81 of Abilene passed away Sunday October 28 2012 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Memorial Services will be held at North's Funeral Home Saturday November 3 2012 at 2:00pm. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Dean was born May 5 1931 to Leonard Milton Ferrell Sr. and Alma Othella Ferrell in Wheeler Texas. Dean was raised in Kress Texas where he attended high school. He began working for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1950 as a coin collector and retired as an engineer after 34 years of service in 1984. Dean married the love of his life Etta Mae Caddell in 1950 and later was the proud father of three children. Dean acted as the caregiver for his loving wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's six years ago. Dean was preceded in death by his father Leonard Milton Ferrell Sr. and mother Alma Othella Brazil Ferrell. He was one of 10 siblings. He was preceded in death by Arthur Ray Ferrell Dwayne Ferrell Curtis Ferrell Verdie Mae Kitchens and Peggy Morphis. Dean is survived by his wife of 61 years Etta Mae Ferrell his son Randall Paul Ferrell and wife Pam daughter DeAun Kiser and husband Jerry and daughter Lezli Sonntag and husband Bruce. He has 5 grandchildren Jason James and wife Felice Lauren Wright and husband Cory Shaun Ferrell Mendi Ferrell and Sara Kiser. He has one great-grandson Austin James. He is survived by his siblings Leonard Ferrell Jr. Christine Roberts Bodie Ferrell and Donald Ferrell. Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com.