John Elbon Dean, 90, faithful servant, went to be with his Lord on September 14, 2024.John was born on September 13, 1934, in Fenwick, West Virginia, to Eugene and Rama (Denna) Dean.
He graduated from Richwood High School in 1952 where he met Barbara Lee Sutton – his sweetheart,
lifelong partner, and wife of sixty-nine years.
His involvement in the community began at an early age. In high school, he served as Senior Class President and Assistant Editor of the yearbook. He played basketball and baseball, and won the Babe Ruth Award for athletics. John also played trumpet in the band, attended Boy’s State, and was a debate team member.
He attended the University of West Virginia and graduated from the University of Charleston (formerly Morris Harvey College) with a BS in Chemistry, while working full time to pay his way as he and Barbara supported their growing family.
Professionally, John worked as a Chemist at Union Carbide and later joined Chemstrand which led to the young family moving to Decatur, AL in 1964. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for many years.
John had a long career with Monsanto where he held many senior positions and was responsible for several patents on behalf of the company. Upon retirement in 1985, he joined Kaizen International as a Consultant, where he traveled internationally to promote continuous improvement throughout all levels of the corporate hierarchy. He later passed the Series 7 and 65 exams and opened an office in Decatur as a Financial Advisor for Ameriprise.
John coached Little League Baseball for many years and played church league softball. He also served as a Junior Achievement company advisor. He was active in the Boy Scouts where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and assisted many Scouts with badges. He was one of the few scout leaders in the area teaching the Astronomy badge, a lifetime passion. He and Barbara were Decatur High Band Boosters for eleven years, selling many a slaw dog at the football games. John was involved in the Shriners and a longtime member of Civitan International. He held the positions of President of the Decatur club, Governor of the Alabama North District, and International Regional Director. John earned many honors such as Foundation Fellow and International Honor Key.
John was a member of Ninth Street United Methodist Church, where he and Barbara raised their children and he sang in the choir. He had a lifelong love of music with jazz and swing tunes often enjoyed and danced to with his favorite dancing partner, Barbara.
His hobbies included playing golf, fishing, gardening, tinkering with his car, and raising money for his favorite charities. John treasured his friendships, loved both West Virginia and Alabama football and basketball, and the Braves.
John was preceded in death by his son John Jeffrey Dean, father Eugene Dean, mother Rama Dean, sister Patty Lou Kerns, and precious pup, Bella.
John (Papaw to his grandchildren) leaves behind his wife Barbara Sutton Dean, daughters Jennifer Barnard (Jeff) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Janet McGowin (Steve) of Hoover Alabama; five grandchildren, Aaron Barnard, Ian Barnard (Hayley), William Barnard, Elena and Ilissa McGowin; two great grandchildren, four nephews, and dear lifelong friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 12th at 4pm at Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur, Alabama with visitation at 3:30pm that day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Civitan International, Decatur Animal Services or your favorite animal shelter.
