James Howard Dean

James Dean (Jimmy), born in St. Germain Wisconsin in 1935 to a Norwegian homesteader and a world-class fisherman, was the oldest to son to five amazing brothers and sisters, Carol, Tom, Gary. and Janice.

Jimmy was a profound stutterer as a child and made it his life's work to master his speech and his words. And he did.

Jimmy joined the Army and served in Korea where saw the world and learned he was linguistically gifted.

Fluent in French and Greek, Jimmy returned home, tutored in language, and met the love of his life, Petey where they immediately stared a family and moved to Illinois. Together, they studied and worked and created an exciting, involved, community focused on Civil Rights, equity, and the second love of his life, teachers and teacher power.

Jimmy attended the University of Wisconsin, Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and Oregon State University earning degrees in English, Literature. and Linguistics. He taught English for 29 years, wrote campaign speeches for Adali Stevenson III, Jessie Jackson, and many other Chicagoland politicos. He marched with Dr. Abernathy and Dr. King and sang backup on one occasion, for Mahalia Jackson. Jimmy was a magnificent husband, the best father to his daughter Susie, and double that, the absolute best Grandfather to Luke and Joey Nelson. At 89, his loving legacy extended further to his Great-Grandchildren, Owen, Dean, Nora, Walker, and Eleanor Nelson. Rest, my sweet Daddy, you did us all proud.

Online condolences may be shared with the Dean family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Dean family.

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