LTC George Arthur Dean, USA (ret.), 85, of Pensacola, FL passed on Sunday, November 7, 2021, surrounded by his family.

The son of George and Josephine Dean, George was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the US Army from the University of Minnesota in 1960.

George married his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann (nee, Schmittem) in June of 1970, and became the father to her four children: Michael, Michelle (deceased), Paula (Dean) Cronk, and Roger.

LTC Dean served in a variety of command and staff positions, to include 3 combat tours in the Republic of Viet Nam. He culminated his career in 1983 as the Chief of the Army Instructor Group, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. His awards and decorations include Silver Star, Legion of Merit (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (6), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (1 Silver and 1 Bronze Star), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, General Staff Identification Badge, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.

Upon retirement, George and Mary Ann moved to Midlothian, VA, where he served as the Commandant of Cadets and later Vice Principal of Benedictine College Preparatory School in Richmond. While in Richmond, George earned a Masters of Education and a degree in Accounting.

George and Mary Ann moved to Destin, FL in 1992, where George worked as an accountant for Lynn's Prestige Kitchens and Bath. Once he retired, he continued to volunteer in the community as a board member of Sea Crest Condominium, and in various volunteer positions at Sacred Heart Hospital.

George and Mary Ann moved to Pensacola in 2018, where they resided until his death.

George is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; son, Michael (daughters Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca); the children of his late daughter, Michelle - James (wife, Leslie) and Somer (husband, Anthony and children, Hudson and Connor); daughter, Paula (husband, Robert and children, Maryann [children, Aubrey and Jackson], David, and Robert); and son, Roger (children, Elizabeth, Georgia Lynn, Marie [son, Lucius], and Hunter).

Visitation will be held 10:00am until the Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11:00am Friday, November 19, 2021, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, with Fr. Hank Lech celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to request memorial donations be made to your choice of the following charities:

American Cancer Society: call to donate at 1800-227-2345 or at this link: https://donate3.cancer.org/?campaign=search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=nonbrand&utm_term=cancer%20donation%20in%20memory&utm_id=go_cmp-6518162159_adg-81186758627_ad-471694527481_kwd-318575510307_dev-c_ext-_prd-_mca-_sig-EAIaIQobChMIrNTEjJ2O9AIVS21vBB0u3QaEEAAYASAAEgLWR_D_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNTEjJ2O9AIVS21vBB0u3QaEEAAYASAAEgLWR_D_BwE

Alaqua Animal Refuge https://alaqua.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/donate : Catholic Charities of North West Florida www.ccnwfl.org