​Lloyd 'Dean' Harless was born in Tahlequah to Wanda Vann Harless and Lloyd Denver Harless, who use to own the Town House cafe where Paceline Cyclery now stands. Dean enlisted in the Air Force shortly after high school, and was stationed in New Jersey prior to serving in Vietnam. While in New Jersey he met Catherine (Kitty) Sweetin Harless, whom he later married when he returned from war, and moved back to Tahlequah to start their family. They have been married 50+ years and still call Tahlequah their home. They have both since retired, Dean from Coweta Public Schools and Kitty from Hastings Hospital.

Tahlequah Proudly honors Dean Harless who served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force in the Vietnam war.