John Cameron Dean, 64, of Oak Hill, gained his angel wings Friday, March 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born December 25, 1960, in Marlinton, he was a son of the late Vernon Channing and DeVada Goldie Scott Dean.
John was a 1979 honors graduate of Pocahontas County High School and a 1984 WVU graduate where he majored in journalism. He spent most of his career as a senior legal editor in Cleveland, Ohio.
He returned home to his “Mountaineer roots” in 2001, working as a top salesperson at the Home Show/Clayton Homes, where he flourished. He loved people and people loved him.
John had a green thumb, loved gardening and raising beautiful flowers. He said he was going to tend to the flowers when he got to heaven. Other interests included swimming, beaches, and collecting coins and stamps, which was inspired by his dad. He enjoyed reading, but writing was John’s real passion. He grew up at Watoga State Park and enjoyed going there every chance he could with his much loved four-legged pals, Jack and Max. He had nearly finished writing his book, The Queen of the Fleet, which is about growing up at his beloved Watoga. He served on the Watoga Foundation Board of Directors.
John was a born again Christian and a member of the Jones Avenue Church of God.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ronald Max Dean, Robert Lee Dean and Gilbert David Dean; sisters, Shirley Juanita Wilson and Mary Lee Nicora; and his beloved dog, Jack, a/k/a Papa Jack and Jack Be Good.
He is survived by a brother, Sterl Harold Dean (Shirley), of Elkins; sisters, Della Mae Johnson (Roger), of Lookout, and Vicki Lynn Neal (Butch), of Fayetteville; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; special aunts, Gay Fields, Judy Dean and Janet Dean; a number of cousins to whom he had remained close, as well as many friends and colleagues; and his beloved dog, Max, a/k/a Maxwell Be Smart.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 22 at Beaver Creek Chapel, 5145 Beaver Creek Road, Marlinton, with Jim Murphy officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of service.
Bruce Dean, Brian Dean, Kenny Garrett, Jesse Mann, Jacob Dean and Lucas Goff will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, John has requested that donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in memory of his beloved dog, Jack, or the American Cancer Society (ACS) in memory of John’s brother, Robert Lee Dean, who died from cancer, as well.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Marlinton.
