Lawrence E. Dean

Lawrence E. (Bo) Dean passed away the morning of April 9, 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 90. Bo was born in Geneva County, Alabama on February 28, 1932, to the late Jesse Jay Dean and mother Lucile Pearl Woods. In addition to his parents, Bo was also preceded in death by his brother Jesse Berlon (Bill) Dean, brother James Morris Dean, son Gary Lane Dean and wife Gloria Ann Dean. Bo is survived by his sister Melba Naomi Spurlock, brother Fredrick Dean, son Larry Wayne Dean and wife Jennifer, son David Lawrence Dean and wife Yvonne, daughter-in-law Tammi Dean and daughter Amber, grandchildren Eryn Dean, Lauren Hunt, Rachel George, David L. (Beau) Dean, Jr., Lindsey Fowler, Christopher Dean and Wesley Dean; great grandchildren Logan Fowler, Carter Fowler, Grace Fowler, Noah Fowler, Emery George, Dean George, Norma Dean and Mary Walker Ann Dean. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive in the state of Georgia and Phoenix City, Alabama.

Bo was proud to have served in the US Navy for 20 years, having retired as Chief Quartermaster while stationed in Seattle, WA in 1968. He served in surface vessels and volunteered to switch to the Submarine fleet a few years after joining the Navy. He started out in Diesel Electric boats and then was plank owner of the USS Barb, which was the 16th Nuclear vessel as the fleet converted to Nuclear Power. At times he served as ship barber. While on their preparations for sea trials, he was honored to meet and cut the hair of the famous Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy. After Bo trimmed up Admiral Rickover’s hair, he said “That will be two bits”. The Captain of the Ship berated Bo for daring to charge a high-ranking officer for a haircut. After the Admiral learned that Bo’s hair cut money went into a “Kitty” and was used by the crew to spend when they were granted shore leave, he graciously contributed the two bits, and much more. Bo took pride having earned his “Dolphins”, a special event in a Navy Submariner’s career that installs tremendous pride and sense of accomplishment. Dolphins are worn by members of the Submarine Force on their uniforms, and they refer to each other as “Brothers of the ‘Phin.”

After Navy retirement, Bo moved to Columbus, GA and worked for a short time with his brothers. He joined the Shriners in 1969 while in Columbus and enjoyed serving on various charities. The family has fond memories of his service and fund-raising activities with the Shriners in Columbus and Birmingham. He moved to Dothan, AL in 1973, and became a sheet metal worker at the Farley Nuclear Plant. He and wife Gloria moved to Birmingham, AL in 1980. He joined the VFW Lodge #134 in Homewood, AL and served as Commander and did volunteer work for many years. He was an active Mason for well over 60 years and earned his 32nd Degree and maintained a membership in the Norfolk, VA Lodge up until his death. He enjoyed serving in the local Homewood Lodge where he lived but felt a particular attachment to his first Lodge. He worked at nuclear power plants and steam power plants all around the country up until he retired in 1995.

Bo was quite proud of his three sons and was grateful to be so close to all three of them and their families over the last 35 years as they all settled in the Birmingham area. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and loved grilling impressive steak and BBQ dinners, all of which were truly the best in the world. Bo made friends very easily and he truly had friends in every port. One of his sons and a cousin accompanied him to Seattle 15 years after he retired from the Navy and as soon as he walked into the back door of the Dart Inn, only a few blocks from the Space Needle, several people shouted “Bo Dean! Where you been?” It was like an episode of “Cheers”. He always was mindful of the person who was alone and would always invite folks to join him for dinner. He passed on the legacy to his sons and grandchildren to be gracious hosts and good friends to all that they come to know. Bo Diddle, Bodacious, Bo Dean was truly one of a kind. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

The family will accept visitation and viewing at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Immediately following, and for those that wish to attend, there will be graveside services with Military Honors at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama at 1:15 p.m. There he will be interred with his beloved wife of 67 years, Gloria.

The family extends their heartfelt love and appreciation to Papa Bo’s caregivers, Monica, Valarie, and Qula. Their love, devotion, and care kept Mingo and Papa together in their home for several years up until Mom passed last August. They loved and cared for Papa Bo even more after Mom’s passing and showed dad was truly loved and well cared for up until his last day.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lawrence Dean can be made to the UAB Department of Neurology for Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, ATTN: Morgan Quarles, UAB Gift Records AB 1230, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0112.