Russell Dean Agee

January 26, 1945 – March 20, 2026

Russell Dean Agee – husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, and Navy Veteran – passed away Friday, March 20 after a short illness. Dean left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family to be united with his Savior Jesus Christ.

An avid fisherman, Dean was most at home in the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his family and volunteering his time and skills in the community. He and his wife Mary Lynn enjoyed 40 years of traveling together, working in the yard and garden, and attending their great nephew’s baseball games. They had a marriage full of love and laughter and were best friends.

At 6’2”, Dean was a gentle giant, with kind eyes and an easy smile. His laugh, often accompanied by a quiet snort (and depending on how funny the joke he was telling was, a loud snort), came often and brought joy to all those around him. Full of knowledge, random facts, and “punny” jokes, Dean was a storyteller through and through.

Dean was honored to serve in the Navy for the country he loved for one tour. During his time in the service he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia for his home port and Naples, Italy for his foreign port. He served on his ship, the USS Tidewater, a Destroyer Tender, as an Electricians Mate 3, serving on Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises.

One of the things that brought Dean the most joy was his work as Treasurer and Reunion Chair of the USS Tidewater Association AD31, in which he served for 16 years. He took pride in planning the Association’s semi-annual reunion, where Tidewater veterans from across the country would gather to reminisce and remember. Dean cherished his time with his shipmates and talked about them and their time in the Navy often.

Dean also dedicated his time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, building houses for those in need. His heart was as big as he was.

Dean is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Lynn; his daughter Cindy Campbell and her husband Brad; brother William Agee and his wife Debi; granddaughters Kimberly Boley and Krista Boley; great grandchildren Isaiah, Elijah and Cora; sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Dale Eichmeyer; niece Stephanie Eichmeyer; nephew Greg Eichmeyer and his wife Kayla; great nephew Cooper Eichmeyer; and many, many more friends and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Nova Agee and brother Robert Agee.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.