Mr. Thomas "Dean" McAlexander

Thomas Dean McAlexander, 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2025, in Jackson, TN, surrounded by family. Dean was born on February 16, 1948, in Cedar Grove, TN, to the late Howard and Wilma (Broadway) McAlexander. He grew up on the family farm, learning a good work ethic and love for his family. After graduating from Trezevant High School in 1967, he went on to West TN Business College, where he received a certificate in Business Management. While there, he met the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Linda Craig. After completing his studies, he went to work for Corryfoam, which later became Foamex, in Milan, TN. He worked there for several years after the factory closed, maintaining the facility until the building sold in 2007. In 2008, Dean and Linda opened a restaurant in Lexington to pursue Linda’s lifelong passion for cooking. Dean helped manage the business; however, they were forced to retire from this in 2010 due to Dean’s progressively declining health. Dean and Linda moved to Lexington, TN, in 1968, shortly after getting married. Together, they raised their 3 girls and spent many years on the softball field and at church activities at Center Ridge Church, where he has been a member for over 50 years. Dean loved family activities, especially when they involved his grandchildren. Other than family, Dean also loved to fish, he loved his sweets (especially cheesecake), and his 1969 Mach I Mustang that they purchased new, and still sits in his garage, to this day. Dean was very involved in his community through church, the Bargerton Ruritan Club, serving as PTO President at Bargerton School, as well as Station 2 Volunteer Fire Department, which he helped to establish in 1978. After he received his Journeyman certification, he later became the Fire Marshal at Foamex. Dean hardly ever missed church or activities involving his children or grandchildren, until more recent years, when his health began to decline. Anyone who knew Dean knows he was a family man. When his mother-in-law (Emma Lee Craig) became too unwell to care for herself, he and Linda moved in with her to take care of her. Dean was starting to have declining health himself but stood by Linda’s side and assisted with his mother-in-law’s care without hesitation. Dean was a man of few words, but no one ever doubted where he stood in his faith, family, or community. Although Dean was given a prognosis of 6 years to live by his neurologist at Vanderbilt, with prayer, unwavering faith, and a devoted wife who cared for him until he took his last breath, Dean lived 16 years, defying all odds stacked against him. Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Craig McAlexander; his children, Dana Long (Gary), Lori McAlexander (Steven), and Gina Courtney (Dale); his grandchildren, Ashton Swiney and Sierra Long; and his brother Douglas (Betty) McAlexander. Visitation will be held at Pafford Funeral Home Friday December 5 from 10am to 8pm and Saturday morning 10am-11:30am at the funeral home and Saturday 12-1:30 at Center Ridge Church. Funeral services to celebrate Dean’s life will be held at Center Ridge Church on Saturday December 6,2025 ,1:30 pm. Family and friends are invited to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, donations may to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mr. Thomas "Dean" McAlexander

February 16, 1948 - November 26, 2025