I'll try to keep it short, but Dean and I were close and he deserves a testimonial for the man he was. He was a great guy. Genuine, down to earth, always smiling, generous. A better man than most, certainly better than me. We went off to Auburn together after loading up at his house and mine. His Dad employed us both in summers. Sometimes over Christmas break, too. From high school on we traded clothes. Same sizes. Tall and skinny. I was in Califonia when I learned Dean died. The funeral was one day away, and I tried frantically to make it. Missed it by an hour after flying all night and driving to Montgomery from Atlanta. But got to see his family. What a tragedy that at 29 he was gone!! At the time I still had an alligator belt of his in my closet. The size 30 waist it fit is long gone, but that belt has stayed with me for 35 years and every time I see it I think of Dean. Once on college break, some guys (I won't name them) jumped Dean late one night as he left his car alone to go into Hardee's over by JD. They beat him mercilessly for no reason other than alcohol and meaness. Another friend and I on our way home ran into two others on their way to the hospital and we followed them. Dean was beaten literally beyond recognition. I could've passed him on the street and not recognized him in the condition they left him. But he had already forgiven them. FORGIVEN them! I missed being with him after college because I moved out west. But no one has had a better friend than him. I still remember his faith in Christ and the Bible, and it gratifies me to know with certainty where he went when he left this life.
Stephen "Steve" Beard (1968)
I'll try to keep it short, but Dean and I were close and he deserves a testimonial for the man he was. He was a great guy. Genuine, down to earth, always smiling, generous. A better man than most, certainly better than me. We went off to Auburn together after loading up at his house and mine. His Dad employed us both in summers. Sometimes over Christmas break, too. From high school on we traded clothes. Same sizes. Tall and skinny. I was in Califonia when I learned Dean died. The funeral was one day away, and I tried frantically to make it. Missed it by an hour after flying all night and driving to Montgomery from Atlanta. But got to see his family. What a tragedy that at 29 he was gone!! At the time I still had an alligator belt of his in my closet. The size 30 waist it fit is long gone, but that belt has stayed with me for 35 years and every time I see it I think of Dean. Once on college break, some guys (I won't name them) jumped Dean late one night as he left his car alone to go into Hardee's over by JD. They beat him mercilessly for no reason other than alcohol and meaness. Another friend and I on our way home ran into two others on their way to the hospital and we followed them. Dean was beaten literally beyond recognition. I could've passed him on the street and not recognized him in the condition they left him. But he had already forgiven them. FORGIVEN them! I missed being with him after college because I moved out west. But no one has had a better friend than him. I still remember his faith in Christ and the Bible, and it gratifies me to know with certainty where he went when he left this life.