Oklahoma journalist Dean Blevins and his parents, Dexter and Rachel Blevins, close bond with him remained strong till their demise. The sports director for KWTV has previously shared several posts for his late parents–celebrating their lives and what they meant to him.
Blevins would have wanted to mark this special moment with his parents, but he knows they look down on him with a smile.
The sports journalist is being honored by The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame on its 55th anniversary.
The ceremony is set to take place on May 9 in the grand ballroom of UCO’s Nigh University Center.
Blevins has been part of sports media for over 40 years, during which time he has won several accolades, notably being Sportscaster of the Year.
Dean has won the Emmy Awards twice as a journalist and was previously honored by the University of Oklahoma with the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award.
The University of Oklahoma graduate, Dean previously had success in the football field as a quarterback.
At the University of Oklahoma, Blevins played on the national champions team in 1974 and 1975 and four Big 8 Championship teams from 1974 to 1977.
Blevins anchors News 9 Sports weekdays and is known for co-anchoring the Oklahoma Sports Blitz every Sunday night.
Beloved Oklahoma Journalist Dean Blevins Lost His Parents In The Early 2000s and 2010s
On Father’s Day 2018, Dean Blevins shared a sweet post for his late dad, Dexter Blevins.
In his post, the journalist also celebrated being a father to three kids and wrote he was lucky to be one of three sons of Dexter Blevins. He captioned the post,
My heart aches this morning to not be able to spend just one more hour with my hero. But the fondest memories of a dad whose unselfish, loving & energetic Christian example lived out every single day of his life with us, overrides any sadness.
via: Facebook
The sportscaster encouraged his followers to show love to their dads, and if they never had a strong father figure, he wished that Heavenly Father deliver them peace and wisdom to live a championship life.
Dexter Blevins, born on October 13, 1919, was one of seven children of Stuart and Maude Blevins. His family hailed from Nubbin Hill, Arkansas.
Blevins received his GED in 1947, a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist in 1951, and a master’s from Southwestern Baptist Seminary School in 1954.
He served the country in World War II and retired as a major after 20 years in the Army and National Guard.
After retiring from the military, Dexter began his journey in ministry, where he served for 60 years. He was the pastor in Canton, Texas, Prescott, Hope, Malvern, and Hot Springs, Ark.
Dexter passed away on August 2, 2011, at 91, and despite receiving his honorary Doctor of Divinity in 2003 from Mid-America Christian University, he insisted on not being referred to as Dr. Blevins his entire life.
Dean Previously Shared A Post For His Mom
Just like he shared a post for his dad on Father’s Day, the journalist celebrated his mom, Rachel Claudine Blevins, on Mother’s Day.
Born on November 12, 1924, in Hollywood, Arkansas, Rachel’s mom, Pauline McDaniel, passed away when she was four.
Despite being raised in a harsh environment, Rachel grew to be a fine woman. She was a valedictorian at Prescott High School and soon tied the knot with Dexter Blevins.
The two met when Rachel was 14 and married in an old-fashioned wedding after he returned from the war.
Rachel Blevins passed away on November 29, 2005, at age 81.
In his Facebook post, Dean wrote,
Wonderful memories on Mother’s Day of a mom who I could not have loved more. Respected more. And enjoyed more. As much as our father Dexter Blevins was one in a million, less publicly, Claudine Blevins was his equal. And perfect mate. Us three boys were luckier than realized …. but we always knew mom was as pure and golden as any lady on Earth.
via:Facebook
Dean Blevins Lost His Brother Bill Blevins In 2021
The Blevins family’s middle child, Bill Blevins, passed away in May 2021 at age 71.
Five and a half years before his passing, Bill was courageously battling the aftermath of two major strokes.
A standout athlete at Norman High School, Bill led the NHS track team to the 1969 Oklahoma HS State Championship.
Despite many successes in the track field, Bill decided not to continue a sports career.
He graduated from OU in 1975 and worked in the oil and gas industry as a landman. He also enjoyed success as a coach/teacher.
Bill left behind his wife, Marsha, and their son, Brandon, after he died in 2021.
Dean shared the news of his brother’s demise on May 4, 2021, through his Facebook handle.
He shared a throwback picture of his brother and a photograph of him with his son and wife lying on the hospital bed.
Dean’s older brother, Paul Blevins, has remained away from the spotlight and was previously seen in a picture shared by Dean on June 4, 2019.
In the picture shared by the sports director, Paul and Dean flanked their brother, Bill, who was recovering from a stroke.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dean Blevins has been married to Sarah Blevins for 25 years, and the couple share a son named Carson Blevins. He is also a stepfather to Chris & Ross Gilbert.
- At OU, Dean Blevins won the Jay Meyer Award, an accolade given to top scholar-athletes. He was also previously voted as one of America’s 10 best-dressed men in sports by Sport Magazine.
