Paris, Tenn.–A long-time Henry County public servant William “Randy” Gean passed away Sunday at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville. He was 74. Randy was a long-time Henry County Commissioner and retired as Chief Deputy of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office after 29 years.
Gean was the longest-tenured Chief Deputy of the sheriff’s office, with his career spanning four sheriff’s administrations. He received the Loyal Patriot Award, the highest award a citizen can achieve in Henry County, upon his retirement from the sheriff’s office.
He was a longtime member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Buchanan, where he had served as a deacon since 2000. He was a member of the last high school graduating class of Cottage Grove School in 1969. Randy formerly worked at H.C. Spinks Clay Company for four years, and then worked for Holley Carburetor for 18 years until its closure in the 1980s.
After a two-year stint at Servall, Randy joined the Henry County Sheriff’s Department in 1989, where he served for 29 years. He retired as Chief Deputy in 2016 serving as the department’s longest tenured chief deputy, spanning four sheriff’s administrations.
Randy was elected as Henry County Commissioner of the 1st District in 2014, continuing to serve the surrounding community, and was a 35-year member of the Fraternal Order of Police, where he was currently serving as vice-president.
He enjoyed serving at the fish tent each year during the World’s Biggest Fish Fry for over 25 years. Randy loved God, family, friends, and the Tennessee Volunteers. He enjoyed playing golf, deer, rabbit, and turkey hunting, and fishing.
Randy was born September 1, 1949, in Dyersburg, TN, to the late William Taylor Gean and the late Dorothy Grissom Gean.
He was married September 11, 1969, to Rita Watkins Gean, who survives, of Buchanan.
Along with his wife, he is also survived by his daughter, Jinny Gean (Mark) Pritchett of Paris, TN; his son, William Jeffery “Jeff” Gean of Paris, TN; three sisters, Shelia (Freddie) Cole of Buchanan, TN, Lee Anne (Barry) Barnett of Camden, TN, and Darie (Jason) Loggains of Melbourne, AR; one sister-in-law, Connie Gean of FL; four grandchildren, Jessica (Jacob) Gomoliak, Natalie Gean, Devin Pritchett, and Aubrie Pritchett; and several special nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Joyce & Chuck Abbott; one brother, Bill Gean; and two Guardian Angel grandchildren, Catie Gean Pritchett and baby Gean.
Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242. Visitation will be Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and will continue Friday February 16, 2024, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Maplewood Baptist Church, 8700 Hwy 218 Bypass, Paris, TN 38242. The funeral service will be Friday, February 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Maplewood Baptist Church, with Mike White and Josh Frey officiating.
Burial will be in Walker Cemetery in Paris, TN.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, or to the Fraternal Order of Police, PO Box 755, Paris, TN 38242.