Photo courtesy of Swartz Funeral Home - Flint
Flint, Michigan
1922 - 2018
DEAN, Max – Of Flint, age 95, died Thursday, January 4, 2018 at McLaren-Flint.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 706 Beach Street, Flint, Father Louis Madey officiating.
Cremation will take place following the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Cecilia Society of Flint or St. Matthew Parish Witness to Hope Campaign.
Max was born in Flint, Michigan on December 15, 1922, the son of the late Myrtle (Spears) and Harry Dean.
During WWII, Max was a First Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, serving as a dive bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. He was highly decorated, having been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air Medals.
He practiced law in Flint for nearly 50 years. A highlight of his legal career was his role as co-counsel on a pair of cases that led the U.S. Supreme Court in 1966 to rule as unconstitutional the use of poll taxes which, until then, had disenfranchised the voting rights of most blacks and many poor whites across the South.
Surviving are wife, Elizabeth Cummins;
son, Jonathan (Denise) Dean;
grandchildren, Matthew and Peter;
great-grandchild, Zoe;
brother-in-law, F. James (Anne) Cummins;
many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia (Hourihan) Dean; siblings, Harriett DeView, Mary Ann Homer, Jim Dean, Cameron Dean, Edna Ackles and Nancy Allison.
Max's work for civil and human rights continued throughout his long career. Despite his humility, the bottom line is that Max wasn't just one of the good guys, he was truly an American hero. I was so sorry to hear of his passing, but few people have lived a life so full of contributions for all of us.
RIP old friend. Know that you will be well remember by so many.
Debra Freeman
February 24, 2018 | Catonsville, MD
Nancy and I extend our deepest condolences to Elizabeth and Max's family. I had the honor of working with Max on a number of legal matters in the 1970s and 1980s, and always found him to be a man of courage, conscience, and integrity.
Edward and Nancy Spannaus
Edward Spannaus
February 24, 2018 | Lovettsville, VA
Julia Gamble
February 22, 2018 | Dallas, TX
I am sad to learn of the death of Max Dean. We worked together as lawyers in the 1970's and went to Mexico City on a an international case. Max was a guest at my home in Buffalo, N.Y. when I was assistant dean at the SUNY Law School Max lectured in my class. I was a guest at his home in Flint and met his first spouse. Max was a genuine humanitarian and a superb lawyer. He will be sorely missed by many. I extend my condolences to his family, colleagues and friends in Flint.
jay Carlisle
Jay Carlisle
February 18, 2018 | Hudson, NY
To Max's family -
We extend to you the traditional words of comfort of our people: "May you be consoled among the mourners of Jerusalem, may his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life, may the Lord be his portion, and may his memory be for a blessing."
Edward & Phyllis,
Flint, Michigan
January 11, 2018
Max Dean was a good friend of mine from our college days at the U of M in the 1940s. We shared many interests and beliefs, and having been born in the same year (1922) we shared many birthday celebrations. Max was a model of advocating human rights and compassion for all. He influenced my life and thinking. The world is richer for his life, and he will be missed by all who knew him. My condolences to his family. He was "one of a kind."
-Bill Chase.
William Chase
January 09, 2018 | Ann Arbor, MI
Sincere regards to the family. I will remember him kindly both personally and professionally.
Orpha Poupore
January 09, 2018 | Emmaus, PA
Tim and Laura Richardson extend our sympathy and best wishes to Elizabeth and his son John and family. We are grateful to have met Max and been his friend. He was a mentor to us both and a great American.
Tim Richardson
January 08, 2018 | Rockville, MD
Nancy and I would like you to know Elizabeth that you have our sympathy and our prayers.
Garry and Nancy Viele
January 08, 2018