George "Randy" Dean, 88, of Mercer, formerly of Augusta, Georgia, passed away of natural causes at 1:55 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2021, at The Lakes at Jefferson.

He was born on Oct. 2, 1932, in Portersville, Pennsylvania, to the late Lillian (Leise) and John G. Dean.

After graduation,he joined the Navy.

He eventually settled in Augusta, Georgia, where he took courses at Augusta University.

George was a Navy recruiter in Sharon after his military career, and began a long barber career after relocating to Georgia.

George was awarded a Purple Heart from the Navy. He retired after 23-plus years of service. He flew Victor Willies to collect hurricane data.

He was a former member of Trinity on the Hill Church in Augusta, Georgia.

He was a lifetime member of the Cribbage Congress, where he traveled the U.S. for tournaments as a participant and also a judge.

He enjoyed singing in retirement homes.

George is survived by sisters, Freda Jones of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Mary "Alice" Schuller of Norwalk, Ohio; brothers, Howard Dean of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Harry "Al" Dean, of Dearborn, Michigan, and Charles B. Dean of Portersville, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 55 years, Christine Dean; a son, Jonathan "Scott" Dean; two sisters, Bernice Dearing and Elsie Campbell; and four brothers, Norman, Fred, Kenneth and John Dean.