Dean Anderson Negus
Dean Anderson Negus of Signal Mountain, 78, passed away July 8, 2025, peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Born in 1947, Dean was raised in Summit, New Jersey, and graduated from Summit High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, in 1969. While at Clarkson, he was an active member of the Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Upsilon fraternities.
Following graduation, Dean began his career as a systems engineer at Uniroyal Chemical in Connecticut. However, driven by a deep sense of duty, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1969. He completed Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and later attended Artillery Officer training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Dean was assigned to Golf Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, and was subsequently attached to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. He served as a Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, and Fire Support Coordinator in Japan, Vietnam, and aboard ship. Upon returning stateside, he was assigned to VMO-2, 2nd Marine Air Wing, where he completed Aerial Observer School and served as a Forward Air Controller in OV-10 Broncos.
After completing active duty, Dean married Elizabeth Gay Bruce and transitioned to a successful civilian career. He returned to Uniroyal Chemical as a systems manager. In 1973, he was transferred to Dalton, Georgia, to serve as plant manager for Uniroyal Chemical’s latex plant, supporting the region’s booming carpet industry.
While in Dalton, Dean was recalled to the Marine Corps Active Reserve, serving as a Fire Direction Officer and Executive Officer with Mike Battery, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines (Chattanooga Marines).
Following Uniroyal’s acquisition by U.S. Steel Chemicals, Dean was promoted and transferred to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1980. There, he worked in the plastics division, eventually serving as director of Polypropylene Sales for the Southeastern U.S. and later as product manager for the Phenol Group. He continued his military service in the reserves, ultimately commanding the 2nd Military Police Company, 4th Marine Force Service Support Group (FSSG). He separated with honor from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1987.
In 1984, Dean and his family relocated to Short Hills, New Jersey. While there, he held senior chemical executive roles at ICC Industries, a global chemical trading firm in Manhattan, NY trading industrial chemicals globally.
In 1991, Dean and his family settled on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, where he led operations at Polymer Materials Inc., a new acquisition of ICC, as he served as the vice president of Sales and Marketing. In 1994, Dean co-founded Voice-Tel of Southeastern Tennessee, a voice messaging and telecommunications company serving the Chattanooga area. The venture later evolved into Paradigm Solutions, Inc., which he led until his retirement in 2016.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Henry and Helen Craig Negus; his brothers, Roy Carlton Negus and Craig Barton Negus; and his sister, Lynn Dorraine Negus.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Elizabeth Gay Bruce Negus; three children, Bruce Negus of Ashville, North Carolina, Ashby Payne (Forrest) of Tampa, Florida, Louise Sharpe (John) of Knoxville, Tennessee, six grandchildren, Martha Payne, William Payne, Samuel Payne, Evren Negus, Arya Negus, Helen Sharpe, beloved nieces and nephews, Jeff Negus (Shaela), Glen Negus, Jennifer Roecker (Patrick), Andy Negus, Roger Negus, Devynne Webb (Byron), C.F. Bruce III (Emily), David Bruce (Jen), Molly Bruce, along with cousins, Susan Roderick, Steve Robertson (Martha), Suzanne Stepp (Joseph), and caregiver Vanessa Daniel.
His Celebration of Life will be Thursday, July 31, at 2 p.m. at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (612 James Boulevard) with family receiving friends immediately following the service in Dudley Hall at the church.
His interment will be on August 1 at 11 a.m. at the National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make a contribution in his name to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, Tennessee 37377).
Dean will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, deep love for his family, and lifelong commitment to service both to his country and to others. A proud Marine and a man of steadfast Christian faith, he lived with purpose, led with humility, and walked in the hope of eternal life through Christ.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 531-3975, https://www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com/location/hixson.