Hon. James P. Dean This is Me

Education

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1. 1. www.legion.org

   www.legion.org/whatsnew/dispat - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/1/1987   Last Visited: 6/15/2008

   As a 53-year member of The American Legion, Past National Commander James P. Dean filled many positions.
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   Dean passed away April 19 at age 74.
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   Dean, who served as national commander from 1986 to 1987, was a member of Perry A. Johns Post 6 in Corinth, Miss., and served as both post and department commander before his election to the post of national commander in Cincinnati.He also served as chairman of the National Internal Affairs Commission from 1976 to 1984, and had a stint as National Endowment Fund director from 1997 until his death.
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   Politics were also of great interest to Dean, who served in the Mississippi Statehouse from 1960 to 1968.
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   Dean made two trips to Central America to get firsthand accounts of the problems in the region.He lobbied for support of the Contras in their fight against the Sandinistas, as well as U.S. economic assistance to Central American countries.
   
   In his final commander's message for The American Legion Magazine, Dean wrote, "The American Legion is taking an active role in seeing this issue resolved, clearly and simply because the issue is of vital importance to the national security of this country and because a voice of reason must emerge in the Central America crisis before it's too late."
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   "I firmly believe that (Dean) was the right commander during that time."
   
   As national commander, Dean also emphasized the Legion's youth programs.In a 1986 interview with The American Legion Magazine, he said, "I'm vitally concerned about the erosion of the moral fiber of our country and how that affects the wholesome development of our young people.The very fabric of our nation is being torn apart by teenage drug abuse and by an epidemic of child abuse and missing children.The American Legion is making significant strides to reverse this assault on youth.And during my year of stewardship, we're going to redouble our efforts."
   
   Later, during a meeting with then-President Ronald Reagan, Dean pledged "every available resource at our command to join (Reagan) ... in getting drug awareness information to the nation's youth through our Children & Youth programs."
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   National Adjutant Robert W. Spanogle served as the National Internal Affairs Division director while Dean served as the commission's chairman."It was in those years that (Direct Mail Solicitation) came out of the Internal Affairs Commission and the National Membership & Post Activities Committee," Spanogle said."(Dean) and (past Internal Affairs Commission Chairman) Herm Harrington really helped initiate our growth spurt. (Dean) was dedicated to the Legion and dedicated to its membership."
   
   Dean was introduced to The American Legion at a very young age.His father helped charter Post 6 in Corinth and served three years as post commander.Dean's mother was an Auxiliary president.After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Dean received a Legion membership card from his parents when he stepped off the train following his enlistment.
   
   Dean, who received his law degree from the University of Mississippi, was elected to the state's House of Representatives when he was a freshman at law school - the youngest person ever elected to the body.He achieved the same status when he was elected to the Mississippi Senate in 1964, serving until 1968.He also served as a municipal judge in Corinth for more than 29 years - handling 3,200 cases annually - and, until his death, was the attorney for the Alcorn County Election Commission.
   
   At his funeral, Dean's daughter, Sara D. Goretski, related a story about how Dean never wanted to wear a robe in the courtroom.
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   Finally, the city of Corinth bought him one and requested Dean to be fitted for it.When the tailor asked Dean if he was right- or left-handed, Dean wanted to know why the question was relevant; the tailor responded that he needed to know where to place a pocket so Dean could follow a standard apparently practiced by quite a few local judges: keeping a gun under his robe.
   
   "What weapon?"Dean asked."I have a bailiff."
   
   Dean also served in numerous civic posts, and was a former member and chairman of the Northeast Mississippi Junior College board of trustees.
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   "I knew Jimmy Dean to be a dedicated and compassionate man - not just as a Legionnaire, but as a family man," Past National Commander Clarence Bacon said.
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   Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, who passed away in 2006.The pair had been married since 1957.Dean is survived by his daughters, Sara and Ellen D. Hinton.

2. 2. American Legion : Dept of FL: Home

   www.floridalegion.org - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 6/2/2008

   Death of Past National Commander James P. Dean of Mississippi
   
   A prominent and long-time member of American Legion, Past National Commander Judge James P. Dean, Department of Mississippi passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
   
   Judge Dean served the American Legion faithfully on all levels.He was Department Commander of Mississippi in 1972 and Chairmen of the Internal Affairs Commission from 1976-1984.Judge Dean was elected National Commander in 1986.

3. 3. Community, Endowment Fund, Board Members

   www.legion.org/?section=prog_e - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/8/2008   Last Visited: 1/8/2008

   Hon. James P. Dean (MS)