Dean James Pogue

Dean James Pogue, age 66, passed away on March 10, 2021 at home in Big Canoe, GA. Dean was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Bill and Sue Pogue on December 19, 1954. They spent his early years in Fanwood and Westfield, NJ, migrating to Birmingham, AL and Destin, FL during the summer months. The family moved to Houston, TX in1968. In 1973, Dean graduated cum laude from Memorial High School. He threw discus, played varsity football, and ran track, lettering in all sports. His senior year, Dean won 1st place in Discus and was on the 440-yard relay team that won first place at the District Meet. Following high school, Dean attended Southern Methodist University (SMU), graduating in 1977 with a degree in Geological Sciences. He was awarded the “M Award,” the highest award given to members of the SMU community recognizing those whose involvement in the many facets of the university contribute to both the academic and non-academic aspects of SMU. Dean earned an MBA in Corporate Finance from the University of Dallas and served in executive positions within the oil business including, assignments in Houston, Dallas and Chicago. In the mid-90’s he founded Starwood Advisors, a specialty consulting partnership, advising clients on merger acquisition due diligence, and project support. Ordained as a Ruling Elder in1972, at age 17, (Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston), Dean spent the better part of 48 years in service to the church: Sunday school teacher(children, youth and adults), Session retreat coordinator and speaker, Sr. High Youth Director, Jr. High Youth Director, youth retreat leader and speaker, Mo Ranch Men’s Retreat speaker, Divorce Recovery coordinator, even camp retreat cook… and finally, Minister of Word and Sacrament, when in 2002, he responded to God’s call and attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary graduating with his Masters of Divinity in 2005. Dean’s academic and theological interests include Generation Theory & Stewardship (Karl Travis, et. Al), Bowen Family Systems Theory (Edwin Friedman, et al), and the Reformed Doctrine of Vocation(Mirislov Volf, et al). Dean was the recipient of the Charles L. King Preaching Fellowship, Kittye Susan Trent Fellowship (Union Seminary\2nd Presbyterian, Roanoke, VA.), served on the Clergy Advisory Council of CanCare Houston, and as Trustee at Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX. In 2000, Dean married Patricia Lynn “McDade" Jefferies at Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, and then joined Grace, where he became active in co-teaching the Covenant Sunday school class. Upon ordination, Dean served as Sr. Pastor\Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, Texas, and most recently, retiring as Sr. Pastor\ Head of Staff at Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church, Katy, TX in April,2020. Upon retirement, Dean and Tricia moved to Big Canoe, Georgia at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where Dean intended to continue ministry and pursue academic interests. His concentrations included teaching, developing pastoral care case studies, and possible theological work on the various understanding(s) of “blessing” as evidenced in the biblical narratives of the Old and New Testaments. Dean loved dogs, all kinds, especially Golden Retrievers, fishing (all kinds), sports (Texas high school football), music(Lyle Lovett to Aaron Copland to Jimi Hendrix), cooking (Southern Cajun), and photography. He would often be seen running errands in his 1949 GMC pickup, and he always had time for conversation or a cup of coffee. Dean let you know you mattered; he mattered; he loved; he was loved; and he loved the Lord. Dean is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Sue Miller Pogue and is survived by wife, Tricia Pogue; sons, William Ross Jefferies; Bruce Hunter Jefferies (Amber); sister, Susan Pogue McNamara; father, William Alexander Pogue; four grandchildren: Breyden Fuller Jefferies, Knox Castle Jefferies, Jackson Hunter Jefferies and Bowen Miller Jefferies; nephew, Keith Alexander McNamara and niece, Claire Lorraine McNamara. The family of Dean Pogue wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his entire medical team: Dr. Eric Liu, Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Denver, CO; Dr. Branden Hsu, Texas Oncology, Katy, TX; Dr. Walid Shaib, Adam Jones, BSN, RN and Dr. Nima Kokabi, Dr. Joel Wedd, and the Palliative and Supportive Care Team at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA; Georgia Mountains Hospice and Debra and Bonnie at Caring Senior Services. Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00am, Friday, April 30, 2021 at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church located at 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024 with Rev. Ryan Cook, Rev. Harry Slye, and Rev. Dr. Clay Brown co-officiating. There will be live streaming available if notable to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dean’s name maybe given to The Healing NET Foundation (www.thehealingnet.org) and/or Georgia Mountains Hospice (wwwgeorgiamountainshospice.org).

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