J. Bryan Deans, Jr.

J. Bryan Deans, Jr., 77, of Wilson, died Saturday, December 21, 2024.

A graveside service will be Friday, 2:00 PM, at Greensville Memorial Cemetery, Emporia, VA.

Bryan has been a member of First Christian Church of Wilson since his teenage years. 

Bryan loved History and learning new things. He enjoyed traveling and scuba diving, old movies, music, and building model ships. He was a devoted father and grandfather. Bryan enjoyed reading to his children and teaching them camping skills.

During high school, Bryan played saxophone in the band and in a dance band. He continued to play saxophone when he went to UNC. At UNC, Chapel Hill he joined the Naval ROTC, hoping to become a Naval aviator. He was later disqualified from the aviation program due to his eyesight. He left college and became a police officer in Chapel Hill. When he was drafted he chose to enlist in the Marines, so that he "would be well trained before going to Vietnam." At Parris Island and later at the school of infantry he proved to be a Rifle Expert and was accepted to the Marine Corps' sniper program. Vietnam was beginning to draw down, so Bryan's orders were switched to Administration School, after which he worked in the headquarters of the 2nd Division at Camp Lejeune. At the end of his time in the Marine Corps, he was a sergeant. He loved the Marines, but did not want to spend his life in uniform.

Bryan returned to Wilson and finished his college degree, with a major in history, at Atlantic Christian College. He then attended police training here in Wilson and enrolled in the SBI training. As an SBI agent, he spent about seven years stationed in Jacksonville, NC. He specialized in solving murder cases and enjoyed collecting and analyzing evidence.

During that time, he met Lucinda at a friend's wedding and they married in 1978. Alastair and Heather were born and in 1983 the family moved to Concord, NH, so that Bryan could attend law school. Bryan graduated in 1986, and moved his family back to Wilson. Soon after, Bryan opened his law office and practiced for several years before becoming a magistrate. 

Bryan spent his life quietly serving and helping others in any way he could. 

He is survived by his wife Lucinda Sasser Deans; daughter, Heather Nally (Eric) of Chapel Hill; son, Alastair Deans (Anita) of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Manuel Garcia, Kassia and Rhys Nally.

Mr. Deans was preceded in death by his parents, Jennings Bryan Deans and Gearldine Bryant Deans; sister, Valerie Deans; uncle, Donahue Bryant.

Memorials are suggested to the Flynn Christian Fellowship Home, PO Box 744, Wilson, NC 27894, www.flynnhomeofwilson.org/make-a-donation/

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com