James R.V. Dean, 88, passed away Monday, February 1.
Daddy was born in Carroll County, Georgia, during the Great Depression. One of eight children who grew up sharecropping and working hard. He met and married Nellie Florence Moore in 1951, and joined the Air Force that same year. He proudly served his country in Korea during the Korean Conflict as a firefighter in the 97th Bomber Squadron. When he was honorably discharged, he came home to Big Cove, Alabama and joined the Huntsville Fire Department. He also started Dean Plumbing Company in 1954. He quickly moved up the ranks in the Fire Department to driver, captain, and eventually District Chief, while simultaneously building the plumbing company on his off days. Daddy was also the barber at the fire department. In his free time he loved to farm and raise cows or buy rental properties and work on them. Daddy continued to work 2 or 3 jobs his entire life. He retired from the Huntsville Fire Department in 1991 and from Dean Plumbing 1994.
James is survived by his children, Rhonda (Pete) Everett, James Michael (Carol Ann) Dean, Scott (Shuntele) Dean, and Mistee (Ricky) Mason; grandchildren, Carrie Everett Grueter (Brad), Josh Everett (Erica), Bradley Dean (Jordyn), Whitney Dean (Bethany), Ethan Dean (Emily), Padean Mason White (Alex), Maverick Mason (Grace) and Emily Dean Manley (Zack); 11 great grandchildren; and siblings, Jerry Dean (Rosie) and Sara York Preston (Tony). He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Florence Moore Dean; and his second wife, Treva Mills Dean; parents, James Arthur Dean and Emma Williamson Dean; sister, Hazel Walker; and his brothers, Woodrow Dean, William (Bill) Dean, E.L. Dean, and Durwood Dean.
Daddy persevered with hard work and a loving family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 5 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Berryhill Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow directly after. Interment will be at Campground Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers to include: Buck Hass, Benny Buchanan, and Wayne Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Huntsville Hospital’s Hospice Family Care or Still Serving Veterans.
