Thomas W. Dean

Thomas W. Dean, 74, a carpenter by trade and a fisherman by choice, retired from this earth in his Seminole Cove home in Okeechobee, Florida on the evening of October 22^nd, 2014.  He taught his children and grandchildren how to fish, how to hammer a nail in perfectly straight, and how to appreciate the great outdoors.  Tom took pleasure in stocking his kids’ toolboxes with practical gifts like flashlights, screwdrivers, and battery cables.  A seasoned hunter/fisherman, he excelled at outsmarting squirrels, rabbits, fish and deer.  Tom had a life-long love affair with fried chicken, especially on Sundays, when he also enjoyed countless hours of televised football games.

Tom and his wife of 11 years, Linda S. Dean, spent their days together traveling around the world, enjoying making connections with people of all lands and tribes, and eating cinnamon rolls at Panera every Saturday morning.

Tom took extreme pride in his 3 children: Lori Nason (Wally), Dan Dean (Shannon) and Cathy Turner (Todd).  He loved his 9 grandchildren dearly, never failing to brag or relay a charming story with devotion and laughter.

During his courageous battle with leukemia, Tom often cited his family and his desire to see them grow as his motivation to beat this deadly foe.  He fought bravely and with much valor, claiming his faith as the root of his strength.

Tom was reunited with his parents, George and Marion, and his sister Sue, upon arriving in Heaven.  His memory will also continue through his remaining siblings: Paul Dean (Janet), Sandy Meyer (Paul), Kenny Dean (Diana), Judy Fries (Rusty) and Janet Painter (Jerry).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Carthage United Methodist Church at 3427 Carthage Road in California, Kentucky on Saturday, November 8^th, at 10 am.  Burial will immediately follow at the Carthage Mt. Gilead Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hope Lodge of Cincinnati, 2806 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206.