Lewis Dean Jr.

Jun 17, 1937 -

May 11, 2021

Lewis Dean Jr. was born on June 17, 1937, in Dolomite, Ala., to Rev. Lewis Dean and Annie Kate Dean (nee Callier). He met his wife Linnie Dean (nee Harvey) in Portland, Maine. From this union there were four children: Eric, Darryl, Pamela and Deborah.

Lewis was baptized at an early age at St. John Baptist Church in Dolomite, where his father served as pastor. Lewis graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Ala.

Lewis served in United States Air Force for 23 years. During his service, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. His military career allowed he and his family to live in various geographic locations including the Philippines, Maine, California, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. In Oklahoma, Lewis was a Freemason member of the Keystone Lodge No. 2 F & A.M. After retiring from the United States Air Force, he joined the Anchorage School District, where he had a distinguished career in Operations for over 20 years.

Lewis was a member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for many years, where he served as deacon and later as an ordained minister under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Alonzo Patterson. Lewis also served at the Shiloh Mission in Palmer, Alaska.

Some of Lewis' favorite activities were coin and stamp collecting, photography, painting and completing the Sunday crossword puzzle. He was also an avid reader and was often able to converse on any number of topics. He also had a love for the outdoors, nature and adventure. Lewis loved listening to music. One of his favorite singers was Dorothy Love Coates singing "You Don't Know How Good God Has Been to Me. "

Lewis was called home on May 11, 2021. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lewis Dean and Annie Kate Dean; brothers, Henry Dean, Robert Dean and Stanley Dean; and daughter, Pamela Dean.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Linnie Dean; two sons, Eric Dean and Darryl Dean (Mary); daughter, Deborah Dean; grandchildren, Brittney Dean and Brianna Dean; great-grandchildren, Demetrius Frye, Daquarius Frye, Deandre Howard, Kymanii Robeson; great-great-grandchild, Kavari Hojayfa-Frye; sisters and brother, Mary Helen Currier (Theodis), Lula Thompson (Arnold), Sandra Kirkland (Nathaniel), Eddie Dean (Jill) and Vernelda Korneagay. Also left to cherish his memory is a special family friend, Gregory Gaskins, to whom Lewis was like a second father, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Services will be held at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on May 20, 2021, at 12 p.m., with viewing preceding at 11 a.m.