MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Capps

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND WORKS OF CHARLES WILLIAM DEAN AND EXPRESSING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Charles William Dean, a visionary civil engineer and lifelong advocate of Bolivar County, departed this life at the age of 70 on November 11, 1998, causing great loss to his many friends and his family; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean, a graduate of Shaw High School and the University of Mississippi, was involved in the community since his early days at Ole Miss when he served as president of the student body in 1948-1949; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean was owner of Consulting Civil Engineering in Cleveland where he specialized in river ports, drainage, municipal public works, airports, highways, railroads, industrial parks and long-range planning; and

WHEREAS, his expertise was greatly sought after in the area of transportation and economic development and he traveled to numerous foreign countries sharing that expertise, including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Mexico and the continent of South America; and

WHEREAS, in 1983 Charles Dean was invited to the Peoples Republic of China where he shared his engineering expertise with recommendations to develop China's river systems for transportation and flood control; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers; Mississippi Society of Professional Engineers; Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals; Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Past Chairman; National Association for the Self-Employed; Delta Council, serving as Director and Past Chairman of Economic Development; Consulting Engineers Council of Mississippi; National I-69 Mid-Continent Highway Coalition, Inc., serving as Director; and the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, Past President; and

WHEREAS, at Ole Miss, Charles Dean was Past President of ODK, the Hall of Fame, Kappa Sigma, the Varsity Football Team and his graduating class; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the Kossman Award from the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and an award from the State of Mississippi in economic development; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean also served his community as a Boy Scout leader and as a member of First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, where he was on the board of trustees; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean's vision of creating the Arkansas-Mississippi Great River Bridge, nicknamed "Dean's Dream," will serve as a permanent monument to the unselfish service of Charles Dean to his community upon its completion; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean is survived by his wife of 48 years, Martha Cile Dean; two daughters, Debbie Cole and Tommicile Rogers; a son, Charles William Dean, Jr.; and 13 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to pay tribute to exemplary Mississippians such as Charles William Dean, who devote their lives to the betterment of all citizens of the state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and works of Charles William Dean and express our deepest sympathy to his family during their time of loss.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Charles William Dean and to the Capitol Press Corps.