Donald “Dean” Cayton

Donald “Dean” Cayton, 80, passed into eternal rest Thursday morning, December 28, 2023, at the Seiling Nursing Center in Seiling, Oklahoma. Dean was born at the Elliott homestead in Texas County, Oklahoma on September 6, 1943, to Sam Robert and Minnie Lorena (Elliott) Cayton. He was the oldest of five children.

Dean was raised on the family farm in Griggs, Oklahoma, and attended Plainview School. After doing his practice teaching in Texhoma, Texas and graduating from Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1965, he finished out the year teaching and driving a school bus there. The following year he moved to Balko, Oklahoma where he taught math and science for 33 years before retiring in 1999.

On July 1, 1971, Dean married Mary Lou Lowe in Keyes, Oklahoma. They raised their three children in Balko and were very involved in school activities. Dean enjoyed high school sports and could often be seen on the sidelines keeping defensive stats for the football team or books for the basketball games. Even years after retirement he could often be found attending the Class A and B basketball playoffs in March. He also really enjoyed the FFA fishing trips and loved hunting and fishing with family and friends.

After retirement, Dean and Mary moved to Beaver where Mary began her career with the U.S. Postal Service and Dean worked for about six years as a substitute rural mail carrier. Dean never left his roots, spending the summers and most weekends farming and attending church in Griggs. He accepted Christ at an early age and served on the board at the Griggs Church of God for many years. After moving to Tyrone, Dean and Mary eventually quit making the drive and attended the South Church of God in Liberal, KS, until moving to Chester, OK in 2023, where they began attending First Baptist Church in Seiling, OK.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry Cayton; sister, Darla Hogan, sister-in-law Judy Crelly, and brothers-in-law George Crelly and Ronald Webb.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Cayton of the home; children, Cammie Cayton of Amarillo, TX, Sheldon Cayton of Chester, OK, and Crystal Sells (Dustin) of Norman, OK; grandchildren, Isaiah, Josiah, and Roselynn Sells of Norman, OK; brothers, Wendell Cayton (Taletha) and Curtis Cayton (Tangee), of Keyes, OK; sisters-in-law, Lois Cayton of Boise City, OK, and Peggy Webb of Edmond, OK; brothers-in-law, Bruce Hogan of Guymon, OK and Paul Lowe (Billye) of Keyes, OK; aunt, Josephine Elliott of Texhoma, OK; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held at Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home in Guymon, OK, Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Dean’s life will be held Saturday, January 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the South Church of God in Liberal, KS. Graveside services will be at the Marella Cemetery in Griggs, OK at 4:00. The First Baptist Church in Keyes, OK will be open before and after the graveside service for family and friends to gather and visit. Since Dean was not one to dress up unless required, casual attire is encouraged for the service.

Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.