Family remembers ‘Dean the Dealmaker,’ killed in east Wichita explosion
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — An explosion at a detached car garage at Cedarbrooke Apartments in east Wichita left one man dead Thursday.
Dean Maxwell’s family said there was no one better at bringing people together. Now, at his death, they are together again, as a family in mourning. His sister, Diane, and his brother, Ray, said they are shattered from losing their sibling.
Dean, also known as “Uncle Dino,” as his relatives call him, is described as a man with many passions. But those closest to Dean said his love was for cars. He spent years selling cars in Wichita under the name “Dean the Dealmaker.” He then turned to helping people at Auto Zone.
While working on the classic cars he owned, he made lasting friendships in the car collector community.
Co-worker remembers Cedarbrooke explosion victim
His sister Diane said he leaves behind lasting memories for those he helped.
“He’s going to be greatly missed in his community because he helped everybody, he helped everybody, anybody, he was a real loveable guy, a real loveable guy, and always tried to help everybody,” said Dean’s sister, Dr. Diane Thomas.
His good friend, Mike Gisick, said that in the years they worked together at the dealership, there was no one who could carry on a conversation like Dean. He added that Dean officiated his wedding.
“For me, Dean’s all about his laugh. I’ll always remember his laugh, man. He’s just we’re going to miss him so much,” said Gisick.
Gisick said he will continue to listen to his friend’s music, which, he said, is something Dean leaves behind, that is everlasting. Dean released multiple music albums and was passionate about pursuing a music career.
His sister and family members drove down to Wichita Friday to make funeral arrangements.
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