James Daniel Dean

James Daniel "Dan" Dean, of Lake Jackson, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2017, at the age of 89. He was born in Athens, Texas on May 14, 1928, to Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Dean. Dan graduated from Athens High School in 1945 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He served as an Air Traffic Controller in Corpus Christi, Hawaii, and Dallas. While in Corpus, he attended night school at C.C. Junior College, where he met Norma Dawson. They married June 5, 1949, and had 68 wonderful years together. After 6 years in the Navy, Dan enrolled at Texas A & M University. After graduating in 1955 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree, he went to work at Alcoa Aluminum in Rockdale, Texas. After one year in Rockdale, Dan, Norma, their daughter Patricia, and their son Jimmy moved to Lake Jackson where he began a 30 year career at Dow Chemical. They soon welcomed another daughter, Robin, to the family. Dan had many hobbies and interests. He was a member of Lake Jackson First Baptist Church where he was Superintendent of the 3rd grade Sunday School class for over 40 years. He loved all the children who came through his department and they in return loved him. He flew radio control model airplanes, enjoyed target shooting at Greenwood Gun Club, loved to tinker in his shop, and made and threw boomerangs with every child who came into his life. Dan was predeceased by his son, Jimmy Dean; his parents, Henry and Oatie Dean; his brother, Bill Dean and his sisters Jean Caldwell, Mary Hanys and Peggy Andress. Survivors include his wife, Norma; his daughter Patricia Dean Bay and her husband Walter; his daughter Robin Dean Barbree and her husband James. Dan had 7 grandchildren: Ryan Bay and wife Sarah; Kristin Bay Bedford and husband Willie; Jonathan Bay and wife Christie; Blair Barbree Antoine and husband Jhonny; Blake Barbree; Jennifer Kingsriter and husband Barrett; and Dr. Elizabeth Lackey and husband Dillon. Dan so enjoyed his great-grandchildren: Christian, Parker, Levi, and Lexi Antoine; Katherine, Brooklyn, and Barrett Kingsriter; and Grace Lackey. Pallbearers are Ryan Bay, Blake Barbree, Bo Lander, Gary Chamblee, Greg Rieke, and Jimmy King. Honorary pallbearers are Jhonny Antoine, William Bedford, David Dawson, Barrett Kingsriter, Dillon Lackey, Howard Livingston, and Mike Williams. Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson on Tuesday, September 5, at 2:00 pm. Another funeral service is scheduled at Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 6, in Athens, Texas at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Shelby Chapel Cemetery where he will join his parents and siblings.

James Daniel Dean

May 14, 1928 - August 27, 2017