Dean Champion passed away peacefully on May 6, 2024. Dean was born June 17, 1935, to Ethel Mae (Pryor) Champion and James Thomas Champion on their farm in the Oak Grove community. He attended Bethware School and Howard Business College and enjoyed playing sports at both. Dean worked at several mills and HerndonTrucking, before becoming one of the original employees at Fiber Industries (later Celanese), where he worked until he retired.

In addition to playing baseball, basketball, and fast-pitch softball in school and beyond, Dean was a talented bass fisherman. When he was younger, he was a competitive shooter, an avid hunter, and a golfer.

In 1956, he married Gay Champion, who predeceased him. He is survived by his son Tim Champion and his wife Kathryn; by three grandchildren: Julie Champion (Jacob Wojciechowski), Paul Champion (Bailey Alvarado), and Will Champion (Chi); and by one great-grandson, Sam; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings.

The family wish to thank Dean's caregivers in the last years of his life: Cindy Champion and the staff at Summit Place of Kings Mountain. We are especially grateful to the ICU staff at Atrium Health Cleveland for their care in the last week of his life.

Interment will be private; a later celebration of life by his family is planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to one of the NC Wildlife Commission's conservation programs (see https://www.ncwildlife.org/Donate).

Online condolences can be made at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Champion family.