“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15
Franklin Dean Crumley, 90, peacefully passed away Oct. 23, 2026, at Johnson City Medical Center, with his family by his side.
Dean was a 1954 graduate of Science Hill High School, where he was a member of the marching band and worked in the bookstore. Growing up, Dean mowed yards for many neighbors and still had a mower just like his original. During high school and after graduation, he began working for Appalachian Funeral Home and Charlie Bowman. He served in the United States Army from 1959-1965. Stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dean served in the Military Police Corps.
After moving back to Johnson City in 1961, Dean worked with his father and eventually took ownership of Crumley’s Repair Shop, where he worked for more than 50 years. After retirement, Dean worked for Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home for more than 25 years.
Two of Dean’s favorite retirement activities included mowing his yard, his neighbors’ yards and anyone else’s yard that might need mowing. He also had a passion for grilling. He and his grill were found at many church, community and private events. He was famous for his great, tender fillets.
Dean was a member of Boones Creek Christian Church for nearly 70 years, where he was an elder and a deacon for many years. He and his wife, Thelma, also taught many youth classes. He and Thelma were founding members of the JOY Sunday School class. Dean was co-chairperson of the Upward Bound Committee, where he prepared meals and raised thousands of dollars for church building programs. He was a regular at the BCCC Senior Thursday morning breakfast at Bob Evans.
Dean had a true heart for community service. He served on the Washington County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and was a member of the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association. Dean was also recognized as an honorary alumnus by the Daniel Boone FFA chapter for his service. He was a member of the Johnson City Civitan Club, where he served in local and regional leadership positions. He was involved with several community service projects through Civitan, including the Appalachian Fair and Claxton Fruit Cake sales. Dean and Thelma received the Appalachian Fair U.S. Army Golden Knights Baton in recognition of their long-term service to the fair and community.
Dean supported his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their activities. Dean took some of his grandchildren to school and brought them breakfast every morning until they graduated from high school. You would also often find Dean and Thelma at ball fields, school programs, graduations, cattle shows and anywhere else his family was involved.
Dean was preceded in death in July by his wife of 67½ years, Thelma Crumley; parents, Robert and Margaret Crumley; grandson, Christopher Adam Denny; brother-in-law, Ray Davis; and a sister.
Survivors include his three daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Jimmy Byers, Jane and Dean Denny, and Amy and Kevin Collette; grandchildren, David and Beverly Byers, Christi and Eric Tipton, Ashley and Ethan Tolliver, Mary Beth Collette and Callie Collette; great-grandchildren, Aleah Byers, Brentlee Tolliver, JP Tipton, Judah Tipton, Abbi Byers, Braxton Tolliver, Brylie Tolliver and John Hen
