Earl Packard Dewees

It is with heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the passing of Earl Packard Dewees on November 3rd, 2024, at the age of 84. Earl was born on July 24th, 1940, to Thomas Hubert and Helen Packard DeWees in Cedar Rapids, IA. After graduating from George Washington High School in 1958, he attended Parsons College, graduating with a business degree. During his college years, Earl spent summers driving tractor trailers and trucks for his father’s company, Hawkeye Motor Express. He also spent one summer as a wildland firefighter in Idaho. Sharing his father’s passion for civic responsibilities, Earl was a proud member of the El Kahir Shriner Temple in Hiawatha, Iowa. After college, Earl enlisted in the United States Navy and was selected for officer candidate school, finishing his naval service with the rank of Lieutenant. While stationed in Norfolk, VA, Earl met Dana Jacklyn Meekins, who was just starting her career as a practicing nurse. They were married in 1967. After completing his time in the navy, Earl and Dana moved to Austin, TX where he worked in data management for MRI Systems Corporation. They started a family in Austin, welcoming their first child, Emily, in 1969 and their son, Tom, in 1973. A few years later, the Dewees family moved to Durham, NC where their youngest daughter, Molly, was born in 1977. After MRI was acquired by Intel Corporation they took their family to Severna Park, MD. Earl enjoyed spending time with extended family in Iowa, Texas, and North Carolina. All three Dewees children were members of the Severna Park High School Marching Band. Earl loved supporting his kids and was an active band booster for a period spanning over 12 years. He also loved operating and maintaining family-owned steam traction engines at the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Earl’s other passions included sailing and cycling. Earl is preceded by his parents, Hugh and Helen Dewees. Earl is survived by his wife Dana Dewees, his daughters Emily Dewees and Molly Brockett, his son Tom DeWees, and his son-in-law Warren Brockett and daughter-in-law Ashley DeWees. He is the loving grandparent (Poppie) of: Thomas Brockett, Harrison DeWees, Marshall Brockett, William DeWees, and J.P. Brockett. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas Herbert DeWees, and his nieces, Debbie Aughinbaugh and Julie Sparks. A memorial service will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, MD on Saturday, November the 16th at 1:00pm with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Earl Packard Dewees

July 24, 1940 - November 3, 2024