Remembering Dewayne L. Reierson (12-15-43 to 5-6-08)
To view a memorial slide show please click here.
Dewayne “Dewey” Reierson passed away on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008.
An entrepreneur and the founder of DLR Sales, Inc., Dewey will be remembered as a brilliant businessman, loving husband and father, an inspirational leader, and caring friend. He touched us all in so many ways and will be missed dearly.
In 1987, when Dewey founded DLR Sales, Inc. both he and his company quickly became industry icons. Happily retired for the past six years in the high desert of Clarkdale AZ, both he and his wife Laura, enjoyed going to church, exploring the countryside in their RV, visiting friends and family, and volunteering for many other civic and faith based activities.
Dewey lost his long time battle from complications related to heart disease and is now with his family and friends in heaven. Although gone from this earth, his faith, energy and his exuberance for life will remain with us forever.
Born: December 15, 1943 in Long Prairie MN
Died: May 6, 2008 at Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Survived by: His wife Laura Reierson; son Donald Reierson; step-children Ken Manrubia and Elisa Martin; sister Mary Reierson; grand children April and Ashley Martin, Shaun and Kai Manrubia.
Memorial services will be held as follows:
Arizona
May 25th 2008
High Noon (12:00 PM)
St. Thomas of the Valley Episcopal Church
889 First South Street
Clarkdale, AZ 86324
(928) 634-8593
Fr. Jim Booker
California
June 29th 2008
3:00 PM
La Selva Beach Community Church
26 Florido Ave.
La Selva Beach, CA 95076
(831) 688-4033
Rev. Jane E. Grady
Cards and/or letters may be sent to:
Laura Reierson
P.O. Box 67
Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Or
DLR Sales, Inc.
3485 Edward Ave.
Santa Clara, CA. 95054
In lieu of flowers, donations made to the American Heart Association would be appreciated.
To view a memorial slide show please click here. If you have photos of Dewey that you would like included, please forward via e-mail to either Don Reierson or Ken Manrubia.
If you have a Dewey story you would like to share, or would just like to post a comment, please do so by clicking on “leave a response” at the end of this memorial blog.
Please check this link often for updated details, new postings and pictures.
Please help us notify loved ones by forwarding this link.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 11:24 pm and is filed under DLR Sales . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
May 10th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Dewey was an inspiration to us all we loved him and we will miss him.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Dewey and Laura were friends and neighbors. I toasted to him last night with a beer, and he gave my husband a “one of a kind ” flute, we blew to heaven for him.
We’ll always love him and already miss him.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Dewey was a philosopher of life and business. He was someone who taught about business and helped advance my career. He was there for me when I needed his help and guidance. He is a friend that I didn’t have enough beers with or get to visit with in Arizona. Through Dewey, I got to meet his wonderful wife Laura, and my extended DLR family.
I will miss Saint Dewayne very much. So goodbye Buckaroo and let me give you a big UGH!
May 11th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
We Loved Dewey for many many reasons,We had many laughs togather. His strength was one of a kind. We will miss him in body. His smile and fun loving ways will live on in us.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Grandpa! This was the best grandpa in the entire world. He was there in my life from the very begginning and will be forever. I miss him more than he could ever have known and it has changed my life that i had to say goodbye to such a great person. I love you grandpa
May 12th, 2008 at 7:24 am
My friend Dewey- aka Saint Dewayne will be missed. We shared hard work and laughter, good times and not so good times. But whatever the situation, Dewey always had a positive attitude and outlook. Although my wife only met him once, she too shares in my sadness of his passing.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Dewey was the one person I always looked for in church. His twinkling eyes and warm smile made my heart sing. He definitely was a people person and will sorely be missed. You certainly left us all with many good memories. Peace to you and your family.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Dewey was one of those special people that always wanted everything out of life and enjoyed living life to the fullest. I’m sure he will live Heaven to the fullest also. We send him off with love.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I was saddened to hear about Dewey’s passing. While I only knew him briefly, I was well aware of his fine reputation. It is the end of an era.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Oh, that smile and exuberance!!! Even when times were difficult Dewey had the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other…what an amazing man!! I am blessed to have known Dewey and wish for him a relaxing and playful life in the spirit world!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I have known Dewey for a long time and had a lot of good times and laughs with him and will miss very much. But knowing him like I do he’ll probably convince God to put Stanley Auto Openers on the Pearly gates. Rest in Peace my Friend
May 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
What a shame that Dewey has gone. I have never met anyone else who could match his love of life and country…… and his tremendous sense of humor. On one occasion, having been inspired by a local oldies band during the annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, to the joy of the crowd, Dewey and I marched down main street arm in arm singing Chantilly Lace. I first met Dewey when Laura brought him to dinner one evening. This must have been about 30 years ago. After the first bone-crushing handshake I began to refer to him as “The Viking” because of his Minnesota roots. Then, there was the beer. After becoming a “brewmeister”, and inspired by St Pauli Girl, Dewey began referring to himself as St. Dewayne. Although our visits together have been few and far between in recent years, I have thought of him often. True to Viking tradition, Dewey has surely made it to Valhalla. They had better have a football team!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Dewey,you were such
a fun personality and a great neighbor to know.
Go With God
May 12th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Laura, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Dewey was a remarkable friend to all of us and he will be missed greatly. We will always cherish the good times we had visiting with him. From the first time we met Dewey we knew he was an exceptional man and had a zest for life and all things fun. May your memories be a comfort to you as you recall all the special times in your lives.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I was so saddened to hear of Dewey’s passing. He has left this world a better place. He was charismatic,trustworthly and a caring person with a zest for life that was contagious. I will always remember his great smile, laugh and sense of humor. It was a privilege to have known him. God bless you Saint Dewayne.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
To Laura & Family,
Yes, Dewey was truly and inspiration as he continued to enjoy life, love and laughter even when the times were tough - he just kept on trucking. We will truely miss our times together, the way too many beers we drank and the laughter - but the joy and laughter and love will live on in our hearts and we hope it will give comfort to Laura and his family as they try to cope with the loss - may the wonderful times and memories sustain you through these days of sorrow until you can celebrate his life with joy, love and laughter and know that, that rugged, loveable angel is always there with you. We will miss him as all family & friends but we will be sustained by having the privelege of knowing him, even for the short years of his retirement. love & hugs to Laura and the family.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:05 am
A special man indeed, a”once in a lifetime” friend.Always there with a smile or a joke,(and usually a beer too!!)I will miss his humor,his laughter and the twinkle in his lovely eyes.Rest in peace dear friend,Vaya con Dios sweet man, until we meet again.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:36 am
God rest and keep you, St. Dewayne! I knew Dewey from his arrival in Northern California with Harry “Snortin With Norton” Smith. We had our times, good and bad, but we alway ended up smiling. I have missed contact with him since he retired, and now I will miss him even more, for sure. I remember one day during my employment with DLR Sales that we were all in the Santa Clara office for meetings, and when we arrived Dewey had on a full beard and topper, trying to fool us that he had grown both since we had last seen him. We howled and howled with laughter. He told us that if we got used to his appearnce, he could eventually loose the beard but not the wig, and we would all believe he had re-grown his hair. He told us of a few people that actually believed him. Only Dewey.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Dewey you be missed by many but you and I go back a long way and soooo many memories and being employed by you was a GREAT experience and you taught me a lot in our short term but we still communicated during all these years and you still would let me know what way to do some things. Vickie and I sure enjoyed our time with you and Laura while we were in Ariz at your beautiful house and you 2 deserved it all. You have gone through a lot with your health but knowing that you are up there with the greatest guy ever (God) he has you protected now for sure…We all loved you Dewey and still do I’m saddened to know you are gone.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I remember very fondly how much fun I had sharing my 50th Birthday with my friends in Clarkdale on July 27, 2004. I knew that I had a great picture of Dewey – so here it is for the family to share.
Dewey and Laura are special people in my husband and my lives. Dewey and I were on the Clarkdale Planning Commission together. Dewey also was a member of the Clarkdale Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in getting our “Caboose”, the Clarkdale Chamber information center, complete.
When every we ran into each other at the post office to collect our mail, it was always a warm, fun and friendly conversation. And we always had a great time at the annual Valentine’s Day gathering at Doug and Diane Gold’s home. They are both special people and we are so pleased to have them both in our lives. We will miss Dewey, Mr. Wonderful and give Laura our continued support and friendship.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Dewey was a true professional always displaying a high degree of integrity and responsibility, I will miss him.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Dewey was a brilliant man who had a pure zest for life. My son was so fortunate to be able to call him Grandpa. Shaun learned so much from him as Dewey was always teaching something, sometime. We just didn’t know it. Dewey, you will be missed dearly. Thanks for the smiles and lessons you taught us all.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Never have I met anyone who enjoyed life more. You will be sorely missed and so will your pony tail.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Although I heard Dewey could be a hardnosed businessman, I was treated to his playful side only. Kai, his youngest grandson, reminds me of Dewey. He and Dewey are the type of male who have such a sense of play with a bit of mischieve who cannot walk walk by a tall fence without peering through the small knothole to see what is on the other side. Shaun, Dewey’s oldest grandson, who has a more sly sense of humor, has developed an apprecition for silly jokes, gun play and sincerity towards others from his grandpa. I know Dewey thought highly of all of Shaun’s accomplishments. Dewey had such an boyish innocence about him whether it was his enjoying a joke about embarrasing bodily functions or his deep sense of caring and empathy without pretense for others. All his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and as yet unborn grandchildren have or will learn these tender qualities. I truly miss him more with each passing day. He welcomed me into his family after I married Ken, and has always shown me love and affection. I will never forget him.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
When I sat down to write how I remember Dewey T thought,well I don’t know so much about remembering but I do know for sure we’ll never forget him.As one travels down life’s highway we all meet many people some you remember for a short time and others forever.We know we’ll never forget our fun friend Dewey.We we done some great fun home projects together and tipped a few beers along the way.We’ve lost a great friend whom we’ll never forget and we we’ll meet again someday.Thanks Dewey for some great times.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
The “Dewmeister” was truly one of a kind. On first meeting Dewey, I thought when shaking my hand that he might not ever let go. I was convinced his mission was to rip my arm off of me so he could beat me into submission.
Although the consumate salesman, Dewey’s strength was knowing his customer’s business and where he might fit in.
Although he had his own health issues, I will remember him fondly for the support he gave me when I fought my battle with cancer.
We will meet again some day Buckeroo!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
It’s a sad rememberance when we lived only two doors away and never took the time to sit down with a cold drink and share memories or talk about family or just the beautiful country. We wish we had more memories to share about Dewey, but truth be known, we always thought we had tomorrow. I’m sure Dewey would be the first to tell you not to wait until tomorrow go grab that neighbor by the shirtail and talk about whatever feels right. We wish we had known you better.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I met Dewey during a time when I worked with Laura, and I liked them both immediately.
Dewey was such a kind and generous person with a great sense of humor, and brave when facing life’s difficulties.
He always made me feel welcome in their home, and my life is richer for having known him. I miss my friend, and cannot believe he is gone -our world has lost a great one, but I pray he is in a better place, and I hope I can provide some comfort to my dear friend, Laura, during this time.
May 24th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
It’s difficult to put into words how much Dewey will be missed. Someone else spoke of his zest for life, and that’s right on the money. He also had a determination rarely matched. I can hardly remember a challenge put in front of him that he didn’t rise to. Aside from his own built-in determination, it is a great testament to his wife and family that he lived his life the way he did. We are only jealous because you have been called home and we are here left to remember how much we loved you and miss you. Looking forward to seeing you again, buddy.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Dewey touched our lives in many ways. His help in getting me started as treasurer for St. Thomas church was invaluable.
Doris particularly loved to be teased by Dewey. He never gave up his sense of humor or his zest for life.
We will miss him dearly!
May 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I knew Dewey when he first started DLR at his home in Santa Clara,in fact I was one of his first customers.His sense of humor and his honesty is what helped make him a sucessful businessman and a great person.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I first met Dewey back in the 80s when I was doing a plumbing side job at his and Laura’s house in Santa Clara. Though I worked at DLR Sales for a short time, I never worked with Dewey, but I spoke with him frequently. I will always remember Dewey by his happy demeanor.
August 11th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I just found about the loss of a great man…Dewey was an original and his humor and jokes are legendary! I learned so much as a young business man from Dewey, I still to this day think about him often, so this is quite a shock.
He once said to me after a business conflict… Buck-A-Roo ” I will tell you this, I’m your friend always, and I will do business with you, but never, never reach your hand into my back pocket…thats when our relationship will end” Great Dewey proverbs!
My best to the family!
Gary Thornberg