James “Jimmy” Dean, 53, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.
Mr. Dean was born June 27, 1966, to Robert Earl and Shelvia Keel Dean in Atmore, Ala. He attended Escambia County High School, where he lettered in baseball and football. He was a member of the 1983 state championship team, the Blue Devils that won the 3A state title, then graduated in spring of 1984. He then went to Patrick Henry Junior College, where he led the team in hitting his freshman year, then transferred to the University of Montavello before he finished up at Auburn University at Montgomery, where he was named offensive player of the year. He served in law enforcement for more than 25 years, serving in the City of Atmore, the state of Alabama and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. In 1995, he graduated as an Alabama State Trooper Class 94-A and served the state of Alabama for 22 years, retiring in 2016. Shortly after, he served as a Tribal Police Officer at Poarch.
The funeral was held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, at McCullough Christian Center with Rev. Josh Long and Bro. Don Davis officiating. Burial followed at Serenity Garden Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Dean is survived by three sons, Jon (Malori) Dean, James (Emily) Dean and Mason (Catie) Dean, all of Atmore; one daughter, Miranda (Brandon) Hudson of Atmore; his mother; one brother, Ricky Dean of Atmore; two grandchildren; and numerous extended family members, close friends, and other relatives and friends.
Mr. Dean was preceded in death by his father, Robert Earl Dean; one daughter, Maggie Pearl Caraway; four grandparents, J.C. and Carolyn Louise Keel and Robert Comer, Jr. and Edna Earl Sadler; and other extended family members.
