Isaac "Rico" Dean, Jr.
Isaac "Rico" Dean, Jr.
March 7, 1937 — June 16, 2025
Long Beach
- Isaac Dean Jr. (Rico), a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at
- the ripe age of 88 years old, while under the care of Doctors at Kaiser Permanente in Downey, California.
- He was born on March 7, 1937, in Claiborne, Alabama, to Isaac Dean Sr and Angeline (Sampson) Dean. He was the 4th child born
- of 10. Coming from a faithful and Christ-loving family, Isaac believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
- Isaac attended primary school in Alabama during the era of segregation. He moved to Long Beach, California, with his older
- sister, Lillie Hansford in 1955 and graduated from San Pedro High School in 1956. After high school, he attended a community
- college where he studied music and computers.
- Isaac once met a Spanish sailor named Rico. He was so impressed by this sailor that he decided to claim his name, thereafter,
- referring to himself as “Rico”.
- In 1959, he married Emma Beatrice “Bea” Heard, and from this union came Sheila Renee and Debora Ann.
- In 1970, Rico met Nellie Marie (Glasgow) along with her little 3-year-old daughter Cheryl Marie. Rico and Nellie were married on
- July 28, 1979. From this union came Allinette Jequette and Danielle Denise.
- Rico attended Mount Mariah Baptist Church from his early days in California, where he served as Minister of Music and a
- Deacon. He later joined Crenshaw Christian Center in the early 80s, where he participated in the choir for many years. Early in
- 2010, Rico and Nellie joined New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church, where he was an active member of the choir.
- Rico worked at Apex Meltdown Company and Hughes Aircraft for several years before taking on an early retirement option from Hughes. He
- used his severance pay to start "Rico’s Bakery", a concept that originated in the family home's kitchen. He later moved his baking efforts to the garage,
- where he installed ovens, sinks, a working table, cabinets, and fans. He started by selling cookies. Rico further built his clientele by
- baking for members of CCC, selling out the back of the big blue van. His biggest seller was the famous “Rico’s teacakes.”
- On July 18, 1991, the brick-and-mortar store for Rico’s Bakery opened in Carson, CA, serving locals with everything from pound
- cake, peach cobbler, cookies, pies, to his famous Teacakes under his renowned slogan “On Top and Rising”.
- Rico was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac Sr. and Angeline; his sister, Seluria Rolling; four brothers: Rufus Garrett,
- Willie Lewis, Robert Earl, and Ronald Wayne Dean; and his daughter, Debora Ann (Dean) Robbins.
- He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Nellie, daughters: Sheila (Dean) Levert (Eugene), Cheryl (Glasgow) Williams-Miller (Gary), Allinette (Dean) Richardson (James) and Danielle(DeeDee aka Tutes)(Dean) Jones (Tony), Son in Law, Mark Robbins, three sisters: Lillie Hansford, Agatha Hubbard, and Jacqueline Dean, grandchildren: Keena, Candice, Chassidy, Chantel, Gary (Trey), Isaac, Marchele, Mijoi, and Jonathan, great-grandchildren: Christian, Chandler, Xzayvier, Maliyah, Major and Cherish, and a host of nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.
- Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, CA.
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