Henry Lamar Dean

Lamar Dean, age 80, of Calhoun, a faithful Christian and a lifelong Republican passed away Wednesday morning July 18th in Gordon Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends. Lamar was born April 26, 1938 in Gordon County, son of the late Henry Esco Dean and Martha Pearl Williams Dean. After graduating from Red Bud High School, he served his country in the United States Army. Lamar returned to Calhoun where he begin working at the Echota Cotton Mill, after leaving there he found his true calling that would last almost 60 years in the furniture business. First with Scoggins-McBrayer Furniture, Impact Furniture and as owner and operator of Classic Furniture and even after his retirement with The Furniture Store. Lamar loved his church and was a charter member of Heritage Baptist Church. The only thing he loved more than Detroit Tigers Baseball was politics, he along with Truett Moss founded the Gordon County Republican Party in 1968. As a civic leader, he was a member of the Calhoun Lions Club for over 45 years having held every office in the club several times including that of president. Lamar was also a member of the Oothcaloga Masonic Lodge #154 F&AM. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Dean and his brother in law, Leroy Seritt. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Margaret Long Dean, one daughter; LaRae Dean Pennel and her husband Dr. Ted Pennel, one granddaughter; Isabella Margaret Pennel and one sister; Vivian Seritt all of Calhoun. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Friday July 20th at 2pm from the Heritage Baptist Church with Dr. Brent Davis officiating. Entombment will be in Gordon Memorial Gardens with full military rites being afforded by the Dalton American Legion. Pallbearers serving include; Buddy Moss, Bill Hutchinson, Dale Bentley, Flipper McDaniel, Tommy Brumlow, and Howard Brock. Honorary pallbearers will include; Johnny Long, Joe Powell, Dr. Ted Pennel, Marshall Smithey, the Calhoun Lions Club and the Joy Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8pm at the church and on Friday from 1pm until the funeral hour at the church. The family request that in addition to flowers donations may be made to the Heritage Baptist Church (Playground Fund) @ 345 Curtis Parkway SE, Calhoun, Georgia, 30701 or to the Calhoun Lions Club @ P.O. Box 385, Calhoun, Georgia, 30703. You may send condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Mr. Lamar Dean.