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Lewis Shepherd Dean

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Emory University University of Alabama

FUNERAL HOME

Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Memorial Park, and Crematory

5434 Old Birmingham Highway

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Lewis Dean Obituary

TUSCALOOSA | Lewis Shepherd Dean, age 58, of Tuscaloosa, died July 11, 2014, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa, with Dr. Ken Dunivant and Rev. Dan Kilgore officiating, and Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing. A reception will follow services in Chitwood Hall, at the church.
Mr. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Wood Dean and Annette Davis Dean of Tuscaloosa; and grandparents, Charles A. Dean Sr. and Carrie Wood Dean of Alexander City, and Dr. Lewis Clifton Davis and Annie Lou Shepherd Davis of Gordo.
He is survived by his brother, Walter Wood Dean Jr. (Annette) of Birmingham; two nieces, Amelia Dean Bobo (Jon Paul) of Fairhope, and Anna Dean Still (Perry) of Birmingham, great-niece, Anne Frances Bobo of Fairhope; longtime companion, Sharon K. Deck of Tuscaloosa, her son, Cary Alan Deck (Kathy), her grandson, Joshua Alan Deck, all of Fayetteville, AR; and aunts, Alta Davis, Dee Davis, and Josephine Davis, all of Tuscaloosa, and Kathryn Dean of Oklahoma City, OK; uncle, Dr. Joe Davis of Tuscaloosa; and many cousins.
Lewis was born February 18, 1956, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology and from Emory University with a Master's Degree in Geology.
Lewis was a long time employee of the Geological Survey of Alabama. He loved his work, and was known for his ability to help others with research. He authored a book on Alabama's first geologist, Michael Toumey, as well as many articles on geological subjects. He recently enjoyed recognition for his major role in ""Discovering Alabama's"" newest film, ""Sylacauga- The Marble City.""
He loved Alabama History, and was a member of the Alabama Historical Association and the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society. Mr. Dean was passionate about helping animals, and was active in animal rescue and The Humane Society of West Alabama.
Lewis was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa, and a member of the Artos Sunday School Class. A kinder, gentler soul, never lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Humane Society of West Alabama, 1515 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404, or First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa, 800 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tuscaloosa News on Jul. 13, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Lewis Dean

21 Entries

Robert Schafer

July 7, 2023

I still think about Lewis periodically as I am working on tin granits and pegmatites, enjoying every reminisces.

Marc Coolen

July 8, 2020

Organizing old pictures I recently relived a 1984 geological trip with Lewis to the Rockford tin granites in Alabama. We had an excellent time and great discussions. Good memories never die.

Richard Duncan

July 23, 2014

http://youtu.be/Nv_RmOxHaJk
Coincidentally, I wrote this just a few days ago. I remember Lewis as a young man when he joined our Billiton Exploration group in early 80s. Sympathies to family and friends.

Lin Guy

July 23, 2014

In recent years Lewis helped the Alabama Cave Survey, which began in Tuscaloosa with the Alabama Geological Survey in the 1930s, with historical research. His knowledge, kindness, and patience will be missed.

Robert Schafer

July 23, 2014

I hired Lewis and gave him his first job with Billiton as a geologist while he was a student at Emory. It was a genuine pleasure working with such a competent, gentle and polite person even at that young age. I am saddened to hear that he is gone, but to a better place!

July 22, 2014

My sympathy to Lewis' family. I worked with Lewis in the early 1980s with Billiton. He was a truly good person.
Zoe Johnson, Halliday, ND

Wayne Payton

July 16, 2014

I was saddened to learn of Lewis's passing. I had the privilege of working with him at the GSA. He was a scholar and a gentleman, as well as a credit to the profession of geologist. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.

Deane Foss

July 15, 2014

Lewis was extremely helpful and kind to all of the geologists who visited the AGS over the years to examine cores and cuttings. Beyond that he was a gentleman and a scholar. He will be missed by many.

Debbie Pendleton

July 14, 2014

I was shocked and saddened to hear about this loss. I knew Lewis through his historical interests and activities. He was such a nice man, who had such a gentle spirit. He contributed so much to our understanding of Alabama's geological history through his personal research and work. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sharon, Walter, and Annette. Lewis will be greatly missed.

July 14, 2014

They say that when a man dies, a whole world dies with him, and this is assuredly the case here. So long, Lewis. It was good to know you. Thank you for all the help you gave me.

Denise Hills

July 14, 2014

Lewis was one of the kindest, gentlest people I ever knew. Always so generous with words and deeds. He will be dearly missed, but his spirit will live on in our memory.

David Tidwell

July 14, 2014

Lewis was a great man I will miss at the Survey. My condolences to all his family

Gwendolyn Ford

July 14, 2014

I was saden to hear about the passing of Lewis. I've only known him for a little while but he always greeted me with a kind word, RIP !!!

Mitzi Jordan Ford

July 13, 2014

Sharon, Walter and family - What a shocking loss for sure, but Lewis surely was a faithful friend and lived beyond his years in what he did for others. Sharon, may you find comfort - as time heals - in remembering all the good and special times that you shared. May your faith sustain all of you, is my prayer. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Cathy Humphries

July 13, 2014

Lewis was my next door neighbor for 15 years until his home was destroyed in the April 27th tornado. He was such a nice person and I couldn't have asked for a better neighbor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Cal Johnson

July 13, 2014

My heart is heavy this morning, learning about Lewis's passing. I worked with Lewis at the Geological Survey of Alabama, and there wasn't a smarter more intellectual person than Lewis. I had an office across the hall from him, and there was not a morning that went by where he was the first in the building starting his day. I know his family will miss him greatly, and so will the state of Alabama which he loved dearly.

Jack Pashin

July 13, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Lewis. I worked with him for many years at the Geological Survey of Alabama, and he was always such a joy to be with. He knew as much as anybody about the history of Alabama geology and managed the state's priceless rock holdings and geological library. This is a loss that many of us will feel for a long time.