Ray "R.C." Charles Newell Dean, 22, of Keokuk, IA died February 7, 2010 and was found Thursday, April 15, 2010 in the Mississippi River by Ft. Madison, IA. He was born on April 17, 1987 in Keokuk, IA the son of Denzel Earl King Jr. and Tina Dean Sherrill. R.C. graduated from Keokuk High School with the class of 2006. He had been employed by the Daily Gate City in Keokuk. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Keokuk, IA and had traveled with a group to do mission work in Mexico. R.C. had always wanted to be in the armed services like his father, and liked anything army or camouflage. He collected Pokeman cards, Dragon Ball Z cards and DVD movies. He loved to draw and enjoyed playing football. R.C. was a friend to everyone and was always willing to help people in any way he could. He had a heart of gold and charmed you with his smile and laugh. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Denzel "J.R." King, Jr. and his wife Iris Ackley of Keokuk, his mother and step-father, Tina and Larry Sherrill of Keokuk, one son, Austin Lee Dean of Keokuk, one sister, Sheena Sherrill of Keokuk, one brother, Tommy Forquer of Keokuk, two half-brothers, Cody Kussman and William Ackley King of Keokuk, three half-sisters, Helena Blount and Jennifer Jamison both of St. Louis, MO and Lucky Ackley King of Keokuk, two step-sisters, Carrie Sherrill of Hills, IA and Sarah Sherrill of Iowa City, IA, his grandmothers, Mary Sherrill and Bernice Clark both of Keokuk, his grandfather, Charles F. Dean of Keokuk, his step-grandfather, Fred Curtis of Wapello, IA, his great-grandfather, Lex Barnett of Fairfield, IA, numerous aunts and uncles including Dawn Dean and her husband Don Massey of Wapello, IA, Shawn Dean of Wapello, IA, Richard Dean of Minneapolis, MN and Jill Blakely and her husband Charles of Keokuk and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one step-brother, Matthew Ackley, a grandmother, Jacqueline Curtis, a grandfather, Denzel King, Sr., a step-grandfather, Lawrence Sherrill, and a great-grandmother, Joyce Stevenson. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at the First Christian Church in Keokuk with Reverend Matt Hunt, Pastor John Curtis and Pastor John Happs officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family.