It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Dean Clary, who answered his Last Call on March 02, 2026. 

Dean, 59, was born on February 1, 1967, to Marvin and Louise Clary in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. 

After completing a couple years of college, he dedicated his life to fighting fires and rose through the ranks to Lieutenant by the time of his retirement after 28 years of dedicated service. Dean retired in 2024 from Chesterfield County Fire and EMS but served in different capacities for several Fire Stations in the surrounding area, including as a paramedic. 

Prior to his retirement, Dean was also an adjunct Fire Instructor for 20 years teaching classes for Dominion Energy Safety Emergency Response Training (SERT); and throughout his career, Dean received several awards demonstrating his passion for and service to others.

Those who knew Dean knew he was a history buff who loved trivia, and had no qualms calling someone late at night to ask them a question to see if he could stump them, especially after sippin’ bourbon in “Tipsy Trailer” with Sandra. 

The Dallas Cowboys were his favorite team, and Dean would take pleasure in bantering back-and-forth with his daughter by marriage, Stephanie, a Redskins fan. Dean was an avid NASCAR fan and would root for Kyle Larsen and Chase Elliott, and pretty much anyone in a Chevy. 

There was only one demand in racing—no cheering for Denny Hamlin! He also enjoyed traveling, trips to the beach, routine trips to the loveseat with his spoiled pup, Whiskey, and smoking a cigar just because he enjoyed the taste, although never inhaling.

Dean was preceded in death by his dad, Marvin Clary, but leaves a list of survivors who will forever cherish his memory including his loving and faithful wife, Sandra; children, Adam Clary (Kristina), Stephanie Dailey (fiancée, Charlie), Brittany Abel (Chris), and Timothy Hux (no fiancée nor children to mention as of yet); grandchildren, Kali Clary, Kaci Clary, Brock Blandford, and Weston Dailey; mother, Louise Clary; brother, Dennis Clary; his canine companion, Whiskey; and a host of extended family and friends, as well as brothers and sisters who served alongside him throughout his career. 

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 pm at Wrenn Funeral Home, 1015 West 5th St. Roanoke Rapids, NC. Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 7, at Pleasant Hill Christian Church, 175 Ankum Rd, Gasburg, VA 23857 with Pastor Greg Hand officiating. Interment will follow at Old Pleasant Hill Christian Church Cemetery with Fire Department Funeral Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Dean to the Gasburg Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 225, Gasburg, VA 23857, where he also served as Director at large; or to the Central Rescue Squad, PO Box 386, Gasburg, VA 23857, of which his dad, Marvin, was a founder and Lifetime Member.

Arrangements are under the careful direction of Wrenn Funeral Home, and online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at www.wrennfh.com