JAMES ALLEN “JIM” DEAN, age 65 years, a resident of East Dailey, WV departed this life early Sunday morning, July 14, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. Death was attributed to diabetes.
He was born Sunday, September 7, 1947 at Harman, WV a son of the late Simon Chester and Naomi Mullennex Dean. On June 23, 1974 at Elkins, WV he was married to the former Portia Lee Teter, who survives on the family farm. Also surviving are two sons, James Daniel Dean and wife Julie, of East Dailey; Matthew Jordan Dean, of Pocatello, ID and his girlfriend Angela Santin of Morgantown; two grandchildren which were the joys in his life, James Johnathan; and Naomi Grace Dean, both of East Dailey; three loving and caring sisters, Betsy Dean; and Amy Armentrout, both of Whitmer; Shirley Mallow and husband Ray, of Harman; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Racey “Budge” Nelson, Jr., who was like a father to him.
Jim attended Harman High School, but left school during his senior year in 1966 to help support his family by working on the pipeline before starting his own farm in the 1970’s. He and his wife built a successful family farm, raising beef cattle and sheep, which were their passion. The farm will be carried on by their son James. Jim was a wealth of knowledge on farming and willing to help any fellow farmer in need. He was known as a veterinarian without a license.
He received the Progress Award for Sheep in 1980 and the Randolph County Farmers’ Recognition and Achievement Award for Beef in 1998. Jim was an active member of the Randolph County Farm Bureau, the Randolph-tucker Livestock Association, the Southern States Board, and the Farm Service Agency Board. Supporting scientific research, he worked with many professors in the Department of Animal Science at West Virginia University. He was also involved with the Randolph County Fair and the 4-h Livestock Show, selling many 4-h youths their first market lambs and always providing free advice to help them get started. Jim’s passion was farming and he was a Christian by faith.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Wednesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home, Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 1 PM. The Rev. Robert L. Lowther will officiate and interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens on the Airport Road. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to Hospice Care Corporation, 169 Diamond Street, Elkins, WV 26241 or to the Randolph County Livestock Show and Sale, in care of the WVU Extension Service, Randolph County Office, 32 Randolph Avenue, Suite # 102, Elkins, WV 26241.
