LTC Phillip G. Dean (USAF, RET.)

Funeral service for LTC Phillip G. Dean (USAF, RET.), 86, of Ohatchee, will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Hornyak officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00 PM until time of service.

Mr. Dean will be laid to rest following the service in Old Ohatchee Cemetery.

Phillip died on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Cullen and Amanda Dean; his wife of 63 years, Melanie Colquitt Dean; and a cousin, Nan Adamson.

Left to cherish the memory of Phillip are his daughters, Cerilla Roe (Ed) and Connie Fairbanks (Robert); eight grandchildren, Michael Dean Roe (Abby), Eddie Roe (Emily), Steven Roe, Amanda Fahrenbruck (Christian), Jacob Fairbanks (Cherith), Jenna Fairbanks, Bridgette Fairbanks, and Wyatt Fairbanks; six great-grandchildren, Beckett Roe, Naomi Roe, Bane Fairbanks, Everly Fairbanks, Daryll Fairbanks, and Meredith Fahrenbruck; and his friend, Maeve Brennan.

Pallbearers will be Michael Roe, Eddie Roe, Steven Roe, Captain Jacob Fairbanks, Wyatt Fairbanks, and Christian Fahrenbruck.

Phillip was born in South Gate, California on May 25, 1939, to the late Cullen Wiley Dean and Amanda Dickie Dean. At an early age, Phillip and his family moved to Ohatchee, Alabama, where he graduated from Ohatchee High School in 1957. He then went on to attend college at Jacksonville State University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After college graduation, Phillip entered the United States Air Force and was assigned to Turner AFB in Georgia as an aircraft maintenance officer.

In 1967, Phillip was transferred to the 92nd Bombardment Wing at Fairchild AFB in Washington. He was then assigned as a Missile Combat Commander at Whiteman AFB in Missouri from 1968 through 1974. While at Whiteman, Phillip completed the AFIT Program and was awarded his MBA Degree.

Phillip entered the Space Operations Career Field in May 1974 and was assigned to Clear AFS in Alaska. From 1975 through late 1977 he was assigned to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex as a Missile Warning Officer. He also served at NORAD, Eglin AFB in Florida, and in Incirlik, Turkey.

Phillip earned many military decorations throughout his military career including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

After military retirement, Phillip taught Math at Saks High School and also taught Robotics at Jacksonville State University, where he won a National Championship.

In Phillip's spare time he loved to spend time with his family. He was the best father in the world, an amazing "Pop" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a wonderful mentor. He was known for always carrying a knife and it was important to him that his family always carried one, too. In fact, Phillip gave each of his grandchildren a new knife each Christmas, of which they cherished greatly.

Phillip was a member of the Ohatchee Masonic Lodge #308 for over 65 years. He believed in integrity and kindness and lived every day making himself and those around him better. Phillip was a lifelong learner, always having a project of some kind in the works and could do anything. The old saying goes, "a jack-of-all trades but a master of none", but Phillip was truly "a jack-of-all trades and the master of them ALL. If "Pop" couldn't fix something, nobody could and that was a motto his family lived by.

Phillip will be greatly missed by everyone. His master inventor skills and capabilities of being "Mr. Fixit" will forever live on in the lives of all who knew him.