Thomas A. Dees, Jr., 74, of Trezevant passed away Sept. 9, 2026, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Funeral services were 3 p.m. Sunday at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel with Jeremy Arnold and Jason Tilley officiating, and Melinda Webb singing. Burial followed at Pleasant Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers were Will Rogers, Daniel Rogers, Freddie Smith, J.C. Hefner, Cory Tulley and John Gannaway. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 1-3 p.m. Sunday.
He was born in Jackson on Aug. 26, 1952, son of the late Thomas Arvin, Sr. and Vivian Gaynell Cleek Dees. He graduated in 1970 from Chester County High School. He was named Football Player of the Year in 1969. He graduated with his master’s in educational administration from UT Martin in 1974.
In 1983, he met Sandra McMinn. One phone call and the rest was history. They married on June 30, 1984, and had been married for 42 lovely years.
He started the West Carroll Football Program at West Carroll with the help of Coach Homer Hanbro, Travis Carter, Jr., board members that worked at that time along with the TN National Guard.
He loved his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed football, NASCAR races and teaching. He and Sandra loved to travel.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Dees; two sons, David (Bryce) Dees of Covington and Charles “Chuck” McLemore of Jackson; daughter-in-law, Katie Wyatt Dees; sister, Norma (Bob) Tulley of Deanburg; and three grandchildren, Colt and Lily Kate Dees and Brylee Dunavant.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
