Loyd Dean McWhorter of Cat Spring, Texas passed away Sunday, August 1, 2021, at the age of 73. After a yearlong battle with pulmonary fibrosis, Dead died peacefully in Houston, with his sons Shawn Mullins, Jason McWhorter and fiancé Patsy Ford, by his side.

Dean was born in Madisonville, Texas on August 31, 1947, to Mele Loyd McWhorter and Ruby Dell Paige. A gifted musician, Dean started playing guitar at an early age. When he turned 16, he joined a band and traveled to Grand Isle, Louisiana where they could be heard playing on the radio on Sundays. Dean eventually came back to Freeport, where he and his band cut their first record. “This record,” he said,” never made me a rock star,” but people who knew him would disagree!

Dean’s strong work ethic and desire to take care of his family led him to the manufacturing industry. Dean entered the Machinist’s Training Program at Dow Chemical in 1966 and worked there for 16 years. He went to work for Mobil Oil in Libya. He commuted to Tripoli every eight weeks, passing through multiple countries along the way. In 2001, he started McWhorter’s Machine Shop and owned that small business until his passing.

Dean was kind, caring and a natural encourager to all. He always communicated his love and pride for his family and dear friends. He passed his love for music to his sons. His greatest love was worshipping with his family.

Dean was preceded in death by wife, Rebecca Jones McWhorter, parents Merle Loyd McWhorter and Ruby Dell Paige, and by his sister Laura Paulette. He is survived by sons Shawn Mullins, Jason McWhorter; grandchildren Alissa Jónsson, Ben Mullins, Meagan Mullins, Josiah McWhorter; great-grandchildren Leila, Jón and Lilja; and fiancé Patsy Ford.