Melvin Dean Coughenour of Hinton, WV, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, after battling a number of ailments in his later years. He was 81.

Dean was born on April 13, 1937 in Huntington, WV to Melvin and Blanche Coughenour. He was a lifelong resident of Hinton, WV.

During his teenage years, Dean enjoyed slalom skiing on Bluestone and Bass Lakes, sometimes even without any skis. He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Turkey in the early 1960s. His children will remember him for his ability to fix all circa-1980s electronics, for his witty sense of humor, and for his unfailing work ethic, driving to-and-from Virginia every day of his working life to provide for his family. He loved everything about Christmas and began the day-after-Thanksgiving tradition of decorating every square inch of the house with Christmas lights--fussing with strands and sockets for hours on end. In his later adult life, nothing brought him more joy than his grandchildren. "Pawpaw Dean" will be remembered for happily being the first to volunteer to wait with the grandkids for the school bus, to take them to the river to throw rocks, or to lend a listening ear. Dean was retired from Celanese Corporation in Narrows, VA.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Blanche Coughenour; by his wife, Janice Coughenour; and by his son, Chris Coughenour.

Survivors include three daughters, Susan Coughenour Lowe of Hinton, Kelly Harvey and husband Mike of Meadow Creek and Colleen Watson and husband Brian of Westfield, IN. Three step-children, Ricky Clinebell of Hinton, Becca Blackmon and Jeff Brehm of Salisbury, NC and Mary Pat Jones and husband Eugene of Meadow Creek. Two sisters, Betty Lou Carden and Judy Forehand, both of Waynesboro, VA. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Missy Clinebell, Quito Clinebell, Gage Lowe, Starr Lowe, Hannah Blackmon, Luke Jones, Joshua Maddy, Savannah Lowe, Tucker Lowe, Kaela Coughenour, Brady Coughenour, Asher Coughenour, Grace Harvey, Noah Harvey, Anna Watson, and Nora Watson.

Graveside services and burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday October 20 ^th , 2018 at Restwood Memorial Gardens in Hinton with Pastor Robbie Merritt officiating. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery.