Arthur Dean Poe

CLARKSVILLE, TN – Arthur Dean Poe was born on November 12, 1946 in Chilhowie, VA to Vita and Charlie Poe. He passed away on March 7, 2023 at TriStar SkyLine Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Dean enlisted in the United States Army and upon completing basic training, was immediately deployed to Vietnam for his first of two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. Dean was recognized by the United States Army for his honorable service by receiving a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and a Purple Heart which he was awarded for wounds received during his time as a gunner and crew chief on a UH1 Huey Gunship.

Dean also received an Associates Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed the United States Army Aviation School and Army Combat Surveillance and Electronic Warfare School and continued to serve his country for 20 years until his retirement from active duty in 1985.

During his service Dean married Donna Greenwood, of Marion, VA and welcomed two children, daughter, Denise, and son, Dirk. During his military career Dean and his family were blessed to be stationed in Hawaii for nearly 4 years. During that time Dean became an avid SCUBA diving enthusiast, going on dives almost every weekend and cementing his love of the ocean and Hawaii’s incredible sea life.

After his retirement from the 101^st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, he enjoyed living in rural Cheatham County, Tennessee, and serving as a Sargent with the Cheatham County Sherriff’s Department. After several years of service, he left the Sherriff’s Department, finally leaving the uniforms behind. He enjoyed his semi-retirement and eventually began working at Home Depot. Dean was a true Renaissance Man and could fix anything from helicopter engines to lawnmowers to dishwashers. Home Depot was a showcase of Dean’s talents and he enjoyed helping DIYers there for years.

Dean finally retired and his love of travel and a new RV, took him all over the United States, Canada and up to Alaska. He spent many winters in Key West, FL, sea kayaking, fishing and making friends while living out of his RV.

His love of the outdoors found him running, hiking and biking the trails all over Tennessee, but he was most often found on the trails at Rotary Park in Clarksville, TN, which was one of his favorite places to enjoy.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Mae West (Fitzhugh), Opal Doane (Gene) and twin sisters Magdeline Elledge (Everett) and Madeline Goodman (Donald), his brothers Bud Poe (Dot), Larry Poe (Barbara), Mike Poe (Kathy), Ralph Poe and Bill Poe (Susan).

He is survived by his sisters Maxine Martin (Allen), Linda Butler (Jim), Jean Smith (Tracy), brother Gerald Poe, Children Denise Byard (George), Dirk Poe (Ashley) and grandchildren Ashten Byard, Brennan Byard, Bronson Poe, Carsen Poe and many nieces and nephews.

Per Dean’s wishes, no visitation or memorial services will be held. It was also Dean’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations in Dean’s name, to his favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital: P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142

The care of Mr. Arthur Dean Poe and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Cremation Society of Tennessee. To share words of comfort and condolences, please visit www.cremationsocietyoftn.com