William Dean Abernethy

William Dean Abernethy suffered a massive heart attack returning from a ten mile bike ride on July 1, 2014. On July 2, surrounded by his beloved family, God called him home to join His heavenly team. Dean was born in Alexander City, AL, on January 12, 1947 to William Hubert Abernethy and Robert (“Bobbie”) Lightfoot Abernethy. He grew up in Birmingham, AL and graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1965. He matriculated to Auburn University, became a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, and earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for Eastman Kodak in both Tennessee and Detroit, MI. He moved to Atlanta in 1970 to enroll at Georgia State University’s School of Business where he obtained his MBA, Magna Cum Laude. He worked for Bishop Sales Engineering where he learned the Manufacturers’ Representative business and in 1985, founded ABCO, Inc. and was President and CEO until his untimely death.

He met the love of his life, Marcia (“Lovely”), in 1973 and they were married on August 17, 1974. They raised three children, Kevin Dean, Patrick Mansfield, and Anne Margaret who were the complete joy of his life. Together, Dean and Marcia worked at ABCO and enjoyed life to its fullest. They were not only husband and wife but best friends, business partners and loved their children, family, and friends unconditionally. Dean wrote copious amounts of letters to all of his children, which they have all kept, so his words will forever be a visible reminder of all the wonderful qualities he instilled in them.

Dean had tremendous faith, a zeal for life, was an eternal, cockeyed optimist, truly saw the best in all people and made everyone laugh with his wonderful sense of humor and crazy antics. His love of dogs was known to all and he thoroughly enjoyed playing golf, running, biking, and grilling on the Big Green Egg. He was a devoted servant of God, a faithful member of the Cathedral of Christ the King, and his actions and words proved to everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him that he was a man of faith.

His love of God was only matched by his love of his family. His unending advice and counsel led Kevin to become an attorney, Patrick to join him at ABCO and Anne to become a veterinarian. He had endless joy when Patrick married Erin Dickey whom he called the best daughter-in-law a man could have and when Patrick and Erin had his two grandsons, Wills and Henry, his love for them exceeded all the boundaries. He wanted his children to follow God’s will but if he had had his fervent wish, it would have been for everyone to live together in one, big, happy home.

His cheerful spirit will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. He left this world with absolutely no regrets or unresolved issues and heaven is an even better place with Dean’s presence. His spirit lives on in his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Hubert. He is survived by his loving wife, Marcia, three beautiful children, Kevin, Patrick (Erin), Anne, grandsons, Wills and Henry, mother Bobbie (Two Mama), sister Celia Benedict Griffin, and extended family members. Visitation will be at H. M. Patterson & Son - Spring Hill on Sunday, July 6, from 5 until 7 o’clock with a rosary at 4:30. A funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King will celebrate his life on Monday, July 7 at 10 o’clock with reception to follow in Kenny Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aid to the Church in Need, Cathedral of Christ the King or Dogwood Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Richmond, VA.