Dean Strain

(1920 - 1945)

 

Early Life

Born: May 1920 in La Junta, CO

Parents: L.P. “Lee” Strain and Coy Beavers Strain

Siblings: George (born May 1916) and Anna Mae Strain Everett

Koshare Life

Dean was one of the Koshare's Charter Members and one of the first Koshare Chiefs. He was officially awarded his Eagle Scout by the Rocky Mountain Council on November 19, 1934. Dean and eight other Koshares attended the First National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937.

In 1939, Dean served as Head Chief of the Koshare organization. In addition to excelling in Koshares, Strain was a top athlete in school. He made the first touchdown at Tiger's Field (La Junta High School's Football Field) after it was built. Strain also played center for the Tiger's basketball team.

His sister-in-law, Helen Frye Strain said that Dean was a personable person. He liked everyone and everyone seemed to like him. His family was loyal to Dean and attended all his school functions (football, basketball and Koshare performances). She said that the caliber and character of those first Koshares was very high. She remembers they met in the kitchen at the chicken house.

Later Life

After graduating from the Koshare organization Dean went on to attend the University of Colorado-Boulder. While in Koshares Dean moved on his feet so quickly and lightly and his skills were well used on the University of Colorado Basketball team. His coach, Frosty Cox, said of Dean that he had the best footwork of any basketball player he had ever seen. The C.U. coach attributed this to Dean's vigorous training as a Koshare.

He played basketball for C.U. until his junior year when he signed up for military service. In 1942, he became a flying cadet in Alabama where he was elected to the leadership of his squad by the older officers. By 1943, he was a Lieutenant doing advanced training at the Pueblo Air Base.

Dean Strain married his High School sweetheart, Margaret Love, in Pueblo, Colorado in September of 1943. On January 17, 1945, Captain Dean Strain, was shot down over Hamburg, Germany in an air raid. Strain danced with the troop in Pueblo, CO, three months before his death. His body returned to the U.S. and was buried at Fort Leavenworth.

The first painting acquired by the Koshares was dedicated to the memory of Captain Dean Strain. The painting is the Eagle Dancer by Woodrow Crumbo, Taos artist, whose paintings were exhibited at the formal opening of the Koshare Kiva.

 

Pictures

First Chiefs Council
First Boy Scout Jamboree
First Gallup Trip
1937 Group Photo

See Also

Capt. Dean Strain Missing in Action Over Germany (La Junta Tribune Article)