R. Dean Blevins

JOHNSON CITY – Dr. R Dean Blevins, 68, died Oct. 13, 2006.
He was a native of Doeville, Johnson County, Tenn., born April 3, 1938, but had lived in Johnson City for most of his life. He was the son of Ira William Blevins and Nelia E. Pleasant Blevins. He served as professor in the Department of Health Science, East Tennessee State University from 1971 to 1998, and, subsequently, as professor emeritus, teaching anatomy, physiology, neuroanatomy and other subjects. He was adjunct professor of pharmacology in the Quillen College of Medicine and visiting professor for the University of Virginia in medical physiology. Prior to that, he was chairman and professor of the Biology Department, King College, Bristol Tennessee; assistant professor of zoology (human physiology and human genetics) at University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, and biology teacher at Bristol Virginia High School, Bristol Virginia. He was a consultant for the Environmental Mutagen, Carcinogen, and Teratogen Information Centers, Oak Ridge, Tenn., and a research consultant, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Oak Ridge. He was an ordained and licensed minister since 1995 and pastor of Riverbend Baptist Church, Bristol Tennessee, 1998 to 2002.
He was a graduate of Jonesborough Elementary and secondary schools, valedictorian of the Class of 1957 and varsity basketball player for all four years. He completed a B.S. degree in biology and chemistry in 1960 and an M.A. in biology: genetics and English in 1961 at East Tennessee State University and a Ph. D. from the University of Tennessee, Memphis and Knoxville campuses, in 1971 in human anatomy-physiology and biochemistry. He was certified as a teacher of grades K-8, all secondary subjects, superintendent, supervisor, principal of elementary, middle and secondary education in the state of Tennessee. He was the recipient of the East Tennessee Distinguished Faculty Teaching award for 1987 and the first East Tennessee State Distinguished Faculty Research award in 1978. He served on the graduate school faculty and was president of the Appalachian section of the Sigma Xi honor society of North America, Phi Sigma National Honor Society of Science, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society of all disciplines, Beta Beta Beta Biological society, Masonic Lodge No. 0486, Johnson City, American Men and Women of Science 1977 and 1979, chairperson of the Medical Division, Tennessee Academy of Science, 1983-1992. He was invited to participate in several conferences dealing in health and/or environmental pollution as well as environmental health science groups. His research was published in major scientific journals throughout the world. He was nominated as one of the Ten Young Men in Tennessee by the Johnson City Jaycees 1973, and listed in Outstanding Young Men of America 1974, Outstanding Educators of America and Who's Who in Tennessee. He became a fellow of Tennessee Academy of Science, 1983. He was in the Lions Club of Bristol and the Civitan Club of Johnson City. He was a member of Sigma Phi Episilon fraternity.
He was currently a member of Central Baptist Church, Johnson City and previously a member of Riverbend Baptist Church, Bristol Tennessee, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tenn., First Baptist Church, Bristol Virginia and First Baptist Church, Jonesborough, Tenn. He served in various capacities including chairman of deacons, board of directors and committee on committees, Sunday school teacher, superintendent of Sunday school, president and director of Baptist Men, teacher and director, College Department Sunday school and Training Union, sanctuary choir and missionary to Venezuela through the Tennessee-Venezuelan Baptist Partnership Medical Missions in 1988.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira William and Nelia E. Pleasant Blevins; brothers Dr. Sells Blevins, M.D., Dr. Justin Cline Blevins, M.D., and Dr. Carson Blevins, D.D.S.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Sandra Lee Cowan Blevins; sons, Capt. and Mrs. (Debra) Raymond Dean Blevins II, U.S. Army (retired), and Robert Lee Blevins; daughters, Lisa Dawn Blevins, nurse practitioner, and Mary Vee Blevins, M.D.; brother, Comm. William J. Blevins, U.S. Navy (retired), Melbourne, Fla; and sisters, Mrs. Delmas (Wanda) Dugger, Johnson City, and Mrs. George (Mary R.) Murray, Vero Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, with Dr. Ron Murray, Rev. R. Willard Warfield and Rev. Gene Elliott officiating. Graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, in Monte Vista Memorial Park. Music will be provided by Debra Warfield Odorn, soloist, Ambers Wilson Jr., pianist, and David Estep, organist.
Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the church at 7:50 p.m. Monday and also at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, will be: Herbert Armentrout, Scott Barnes, Bernard Buckles, David Horton, Dr. Al Iglar, Eric Dotson, Frank Schaff and William Alford Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be former students, deacons of the churches attended, ministerial friends, faculty and staff of East Tennessee State University, members of Johnson City Masonic Lodge No. 486 and members of churches attended.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Central Baptist Church.
To those who prefer, memorials may be made in memory of Dr. Blevins to the Drs. R. Dean and Sandra Blevins Scholarship Fund at East Tennessee State University or King College.
Masonic graveside services will be conducted by Johnson City Lodge 486. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday.
Online condolences to the Blevins family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, is in charge.