LTC Dean Smith Blevins, RA, CRST, 83, of Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, from his residence, following an extended illness. Dean was born in Elizabethton to the late Frank and Edna Davis Blevins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John A. and Cora Davis of Butler, Tenn., and his paternal grandparents, Quinton and Callie Sue Blevins of Ashe County, N.C.
Dean was a 1953 graduate of Elizabethton High School and a graduate of ETSU, Class of 1958, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. He retired from the United States Army after 24 years of service. Dean served two years in Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant Field Artillery, Battery D 330 Guard. He also served in the Tennessee National Guard from July 1953 to August 1958 and worked at the Pentagon for four years. He was a graduate of several military schools, including the Army Commander, General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and served in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Bemberg, Germany. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for service of Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star of Valor also in the Oak Leaf Cluster. Dean had also worked as a realtor for both Shell and Associates and Russ Swanay. He was widely known as the Elizabethton Flag Man.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and devoted wife of 26 years, Carol Robinson Blevins, of the home; two sons, Kurt Blevins (Lane) of North Carolina and Thomas Blevins of Fairfax, Va.; a step-daughter, Catherine Stewart (Brad) of Florida; his grandchildren, T.J. Blevins, Brittany Blevins, Catherine Blevins, Smith Blevins and Harrison Blevins; one great-grandchild, Jade Blevins; and his special family, Joey and Pam Nave, Jessica and Linkin Hopson, Hunter and Glenna Nave and Diane and Warren Childress and family.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of LTC Dean Smith Blevins, RA, CRST will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22, in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Mr. Greg Key, minister, and Pastor Kenny Lethcoe officiating. Music will be under the direction of Kenny and Kathy Lethcoe. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6 until 7 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service, or at the residence at any time. The graveside service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Jerry Campbell, Glenn McQueen, Terry Pierce, Richard “Jarfly” Dugger, Luther McKeehan and Joey Nave. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 2:20 p.m. Monday. The family would like to express a special thanks (and honorary pallbearers) to Dr. Thomas Schnell, Dr. Mailien Rogers, Drew Turner, Amedysis Hospice, Joel Etter and Smokey Mountain Medical Care. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Blevins and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.