Former college football player, David Blackham Dean, passed away on February 17, 2025, at age 64 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Clark is survived by his wife, Carol Clark, and his two kids, Bryan and Alex.
Born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, David graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School and played football at Chowan College.
During his time at Chowan College, David was awarded Second Team All-American after his second season.
Dean later graduated from East Carolina University, but after college, he decided not to pursue an athletic career.
But Dean didn’t cut himself off from the sports field. He continued working as an assistant football coach at Roanoke Rapids High School.
David also operated his family business, Rosemary Bonded Warehouse, where he worked with his father, John Phipps Dean, for several years.
In recent years, David was handling Rosemary Bonded Warehouse, with his wife, Carol, who might take over the business soon.
David’s funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at East Tenth Street Christian Church, with Pastor Jason Yeatts officiating.
Family And Friends Pay Tribute To David Blackham Dean
David Blackham Dean’s friends and family have paid tribute to him from their respective Facebook handles.
David’s wife, Carol Dean, shared a picture of her and Dean attending an event, and captioned the post, “Always in my [heart emoji]”
On February 18, 2025, Dean’s daughter, Alex Dean shared a cute picture of her and her dad at a ceremony.
She wrote, “We will love you and miss you forever.”
Several of Alex’s friends shared their condolence messages to her and her family through the comment section.
One user wrote, “One of the nicest men I have ever met and had the honor of calling him my friend. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers.”
She continued, “I remember when we all first met you and Bryan were small kids. Carol would be at the pool with y’all and David playing golf.
He loved his family so much. David made everybody feel so welcome. Bless you all.”
David’s son Alex Dean shared a picture of him and his dad at a sports event wearing the NFL team, Las Vegas Raiders’ gear.
Bryan wrote, “My biggest cheerleader. I’ll love you forever.”
One of David’s close friends, Ken Hux, shared his late friend’s obituary on his Facebook handle and wrote, “Many good times, good friend. Missed is an understatement. God’s speed bruh.”
David Dean’s Kids Have Chosen Profession Different To Their Dad
Though Bryan did play football at Roanoke Rapids High School, he didn’t continue playing the sport beyond those years.
He is currently a student at HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine and has shared pictures of him with his batch mates on his Facebook handle.
Alex graduated from Wake Forest University with a Political Science Degree in 2017 and later completed her JD from Wake Forest University School of Law.
In 2018, Alex worked as a Judicial Intern at Judge Lucy Inman at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and later at Judge Robert Numbers.
Since 2021, Alex has been working as an Associate Attorney at Orbock Ruark & Dillard in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- David Dean was inducted into the Roanoke Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his work as an assistant coach and his time as a football player. The school shared their tribute to Dean on their Facebook handle on February 18.
- Askew Funeral and Cremation Services will facilitate arrangement for David’s family on February 21, 2025 from 4 to 6 PM.
