Deo Klein

A. Deo Klein, Jr. was born on July 29, 1914, in Gillespie, Illinois, to Arthur Deo Klein (Senior), a coal miner at the time of his son's birth, and Minnie Maude Keel, aunt to Howard Keel of Hollywood fame. He attended the University of Illinois through hard work and scholarship, getting his Bachelor of Science in Dentistry in 1936, and achieving his D.D.S. in 1940. Dr. Klein opened his dental practice in 1940 in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. He served with the 13th General Hospital Unit of the United States Army as a Major in the Pacific theater during W.W. II. After his discharge in 1946, he resumed his dental practice in Illinois, then relocated to the city of Winter Park in Central Florida in 1953, where he practiced dentistry for forty-one years, until his retirement at the age of 80. While his first love was certainly his wife and family, his love of dentistry no doubt competed with his love of music for second place. Dr. Klein always participated in various musical groups, playing jazz guitar and electronic keyboard. In Central Florida he played with a series of groups, including the Dixie Doctors, Scotch and Soda, and the Jawbones and Sawbones, a lawyers and doctors combo. He also enjoyed his years with the Big Band of Seminole Junior College in Seminole County, Florida. In Mountain Home he was a member of the Sentimentals, playing Big Band and jazz music at local dances and entertaining at nursing homes. Dr. Klein retained active membership in a number of professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association where he was recently recognized for fifty years of continuous membership, the Central Dental Association, as well as the Dental Society of Greater Orlando. For many years he has been a member of the Academy of One Hundred, which supports the School of Dentistry at the University of Florida. A man of "The Greatest Generation," Dr. Klein was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the American Legion. Since moving to Mountain Home, he has been a member of E.L.K.S. Lodge #1714. Survivors: Dr. Klein is survived by his wife of 27 years, Esther Cote Klein of Mountain Home. He is father to his son, A. Deo Klein III, M.D., Colonel, U.S. Army (retired) (Constance). His grandchildren, Tara Sanders (Scott), Tanya Schilling (Cory), A. Deo Klein IV (Jillian), Tiffany Klein, William Klein (Jill), and four great grandchildren also survive him. Three of his four step-children survive him: Linda Cote, Letty Girardet and Lee Cote (Cecilia). His step-grandchildren are Jessica C. Savacool (Aaron), Nathan C. Furr, Celine Girardet, Melissa Giradet, Lee M. Cote, Jr. and Chad Cote. Preceded in Death by: by his parents and one stepson Larry Cote. Visitation: will be from 2:00 until service time at 4:00 p.m. Funeral: Funeral Service will be at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, in the Kirby and Family Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Bob Mathis officiating. Memorials: May be made to the Christian Clinic for Dental services.