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Obituary For Deacon Harold Dean
We are saddened to announce the peaceful transition of Deacon Harold Dean on Monday, March 9, 2026 surrounded with the love of his family.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in the chapel of Wright’s Funeral Home with interment following in Hillview Memorial Park
The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 1:00 until service time.
Mr. Dean passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9th at home surrounded by his family. He was born on November 4, 1957 in Tallapoosa County to Mary Louise and Thomas Edward Dean.
Harold’s life was marked by his faith to Christ, servant leadership at River Road Baptist Church as Chairman of the Deacons, the love for his family, and the laughs he brought to everyone he met. He was known to never be a selfish man and always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether it be a repair service to an appliance through his business Harold Dean’s Appliance and Repair or handyman jobs around the house.
Harold grew up being an outdoorsman. Always hunting and fishing or just being outside. He played football and baseball at Benjamin Russell High School. Affectionately known to some as “headhunter” Dean as the middle linebacker for the Wildcats 1974-1976. He served as Captain his Senior year. During his high school baseball career he was the pitcher and catcher. He was chosen his senior year to play in the East/West Allstar games for the state of Alabama.
During his high school years he met his wife of 50 years, in July, Pam. It is through attending church and events that he came to know Jesus Christ. Thus began his life of service to the Lord. He began attending River Road Baptist Church with Pam, where Mr. Bobby Baker was a mentor and friend. Harold held almost every servant role in the church except Pastor. However, he would always tell everyone he met about Jesus and take a moment to pray with them. For at least the last 15 years or more he served as Chairman of the Deacons. He also combined his love of sports with church by playing on the church softball team where he led River Road to a championship in 1997.
He was the most supportive daddy to his two children. Coaching Corey in all sports, teaching him how to fish and hunt from a very early age. He was always there for Heather’s dance recitals, band and majorette performances. His support continued as Heather and Corey went off to the University of Alabama, his favorite football team. As they continued into adult hood and gained a “second daughter” as he called Corey’s wife Whitney, Harold continued to support his children in their endeavors. Heather going to seminary and later opening her own Audiology practice in Texas and Corey earning his MBA and position as SCADA Supervisor at Huntsville Utilities. He never missed a moment to brag on them. He also gained a granddaughter, Lacey, that was Pawpaw’s little hunting buddy. However, the best gift he could ever gave them was sharing Christ with each of them. This is the legacy that Harold Dean leaves.
Two other special people in Harold’s life are worth noting. One is his mother-in-law, Margaret Thornton, whom many people thought was his mother and often referred to her as Ms. Dean. Their bond has been deep since Harold and Pam started dating. The second is Robert Harris, as Corey’s best friend since first grade, that viewed Harold as a father figure.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Mary Louise Dean and Thomas Edward Dean, brother Johnny Frank “Bud” Fuller, and sister: Jeanette Thornell.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Pamela Dean. His children: Heather Dean of Fort Worth, Corey (Whitney) Dean of Madison; granddaughter Lacey Dean. Brother: Larry (Sara Lee) Fuller; brothers-in-law: Eddie Yarbrough, Johnny Hay, Jason Gardner; sisters-in-law: Debra Hay, Susan Yarbrough, Amy Gardner; nieces: Nikki Buttram, April Yarbrough, Bridgette Rape, Kim Chapel. Nephew: Derek Smith (Rebecca), and many cousins, and friends.
Professional services are provided by Wright's Funeral Home.
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Virginia Ladner sent The Peace Lily for Deacon Harold Dean - March 10, 2026
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