Dewey Lee Maples

Dewey Lee Maples, of Crane, was surrounded by his loving family when he went home to be with his Lord on January 13, 2023, at the age of 90 and was reunited with his beloved wife, Doris. He was born on June 12, 1932, in Crane, to Efton and Myrtle (Lawrence) Maples.

Dewey was one of six children in the home. He graduated from Crane High School with the class of 1950 and then enlisted in the US Air Force, receiving his wings and becoming a pilot. On December 21, 1955, Dewey married the love of his life, Doris Baker. On July 13, 1956, he was on a transport flight to England, where his orders were to return to the states with another aircraft, when the plane he was flying on hit a terrible wind shear and crashed, killing 45 of the 65 souls onboard. Dewey was medically retired from the Air Force due to the injuries sustained in that crash.

Dewey and Doris shared 67 amazing years until her passing on January 05, 2023. They were inseparable doing everything together from siding houses, to delivering boats for Bass Pro, even dairy farming and eventually land development. They also loved to travel all over the lower 48 states. They summered in Canada and wintered on Falcon Lake in Texas.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Doris, his parents, a son Jerry Maples, three brothers Robert, James and Thomas and a sister Mary. Dewey is survived by his daughter Janet Price and husband Terry, son Jeff Maples and wife Crystal, grandchildren Kyle Maples, Kayla Maples Fehrenbacher, Taylor Martin and husband Matthew, Colton Maples, Justin Merritt and wife Tracy, 3 great grandchildren, Mackenzie Merritt, Jacklyn Leach and husband Forrest and Pierson Merritt, brother Keith Maples as well as other extended family and countless friends.

A Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 10-11 am at Meadors Funeral Home in Clever with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11am. Dewey will be laid to rest beside his wife at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 1pm with full military honors.