Arnold Dean's Obituary
Arnold Martin Dean, Jr. passed from this world the way he lived in it: with strength, humor and concern for others. He lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease on October 17, 2014, with his beloved wife and family around him. Born January 5, 1943 in Vicksburg, MS to the late Helen and Arnold Dean Sr., he graduated from Mississippi State in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering. He served as an officer in the Vietnam War from 1970-1971 and then worked as a radar specialist in both the public and private sector throughout a long, varied and successful career. Arnold will be remembered as a sublimely complex man: a warrior with a gentle soul, a brilliant mind with a romantic heart, steady hands and a quick wit, but mostly for the twinkle in his sky blue eyes. As a father, he taught his children discipline, decency and that life wasn’t fair, even though he always strove to be. He was the eminent parallel parking instructor and avid hockey dad but he was also a story-teller with an imagination that enchanted. Affectionately known as “Pops,” he was also tender and attentive grandfather to the little ones. Though childhood sweethearts, Arnold married his wife, Anita, late in life in 2007 on bended knee under God’s open sky at Thorncrown Chapel in Arkansas. In the time with which they were blessed, they shared dances and European travel, sunflowers and laughter, condensing a lifetime of joy into a true friendship that shone bright to all around them. Anita was his ballast, rock and battle partner until the end. Corinthians 13:4-8 truly describes the man that Arnold was: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Arnold Dean, Jr. embodied this love in everything he did and he will live on in our hearts, memories and the wisdom he gifted the next generation. He is also survived by loving children Christian, Derek, Mason and Dylan Dean; caring stepchildren John Winton and wife Jaime, and David Winton and wife Cathy; grandchildren Cairo Sodersten, Zoe and Stella Winton, and Maggie Winton; his sister Dottie and her children Ben and Jessie, along with many other friends and family who celebrate his life but mourn his loss. A memorial service will be scheduled at Memorial Park in Memphis TN at a future date. The family wishes to thank the staff at The Solana of Germantown and Crossroads Hospice for blessing Arnold’s last days with attentive and loving care.Memorial donations may be given to the Children’s Building Project, First Baptist Church, 106 East Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com.
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