Paquette, Dean

Dean R. Paquette, 80, died Monday, January 17, 2011 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Dean R. Paquette was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 15, 1930. He spent his first 16 years in Ferndale, Michigan. He enlisted in the Army at age 16 in 1946. He served with the Corps of Engineers in assignments in the Southeast US and Greenland. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and was 1st Sergeant in the 809th Engineer Battalion. He attended the Engineer Officer Candidate School in 1951 and graduated in May 1952. Following graduation he married Emma Shirley Jones in July 1952 in Alexandria, VA. Col. Paquette served overseas in Korea, Indonesia, Viet Nam and Australia. He was a Combat Engineer Company Commander in Korea, an advisor to the Indonesian Army, a Battalion Commander in the 1st Cavalry Division in Viet Nam and was the senior US Army officer in Australia. He attended the Engineer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff Course, Fixed and Rotary Wing Flying Courses and the National War College. He held a Bachelors Degree from the University of Maryland and a Masters Degree from George Washington University. Col. Paquette had various command and staff assignments including three assignments to the Pentagon on the Army General Staff. He retired from the Army in 1976 and went to work for Control Data Corporation in the Washington Office. He retired from Control Data in 1991 and moved to Pinewild in Pinehurst, NC in 1992. He was active in the Daedalions, the Quiet Birdmen, Association of the US Army, the Army Engineer Association, and the VFW and was a past member of the Pinewild Property Association Board. His awards and decorations include three awards of the Legion of Merit, The Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and The Air Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters and various other commendations and service medals. He is a member of the Corps of Engineers Hall of Fame and was designated as a distinguished member of the Corps of Engineers by the Chief of Engineers. He is survived by his wife Emma of Pinehurst, two daughters, Neta of Louisburg, NC, and Diane of Greenville, NC, his son Kingsley and five grandchildren, Hunter, Lauren, Domonic, Hayden, Chloe and his Brother James of Foley, AL, and Sister, Ann Shriner of Royal Oak, Michigan. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Boles Funeral Home in Pinehurst, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Ste. 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst is assisting the family.