Dean Anderson

Edwin Dean Anderson, 92, passed away December 17, 2023. A native of Lapeer, Michigan, son of the late Lloyd Luther and Madelyn Kingbury Anderson, he was a United States Air Force Veteran, retired CEO of Leslie Advertising, and a member of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. Dean is a graduate of Clarkston High School of Clarkston, Michigan, where he earned 13 sports letters from football, baseball, basketball, track, and golf. He was also a 1954 graduate of the University of Kentucky and served as a pilot in the US Air Force from 1955-1958. He moved to Greenville in 1958 as assistant manager of the Greenville Memorial Auditorium, later the sales manager for WFBC AM-FM, and then joined his friend Bill Leslie at Leslie Advertising in 1968. He became President of Leslie in 1977, and later purchased the agency from Bill. Dean sold the agency in 2004 and retired 4 years later. Dean was actively involved in the local Republican Party since 1960, having served as Greenville City Party Chairman and County Vice-Chairman. He was appointed to the Greenville County Board of Commissioners in the late 60's. During his career he served as the President of Affiliated Advertising Associates International, a worldwide group of 100 independently owned advertising agencies. He has served as Chairman of Meals on Wheels, Chairman of Goodwill Industries of Greenville, President of North Greenville Rotary Club, a member of the Associate Board of North Greenville College, Co-founder of Upstate Alive, Board member of Christian Learning Centers of Greenville, a member of Christian Businessmen's Committee, and Executive Ministries. He and friend, Larry Greer, co-founded the BI-LO Charity Classic Golf tournament that raised over $66 million dollars for charity. In 1984, Golf Digest named this tournament the largest one-day charity golf tournament in the US. For his volunteer work, Dean was awarded a 1996 Jefferson Award by WYFF-TV. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, a state-wide award for volunteerism, by Governor David M. Beasley, and the George H.W. Bush Points of Light award. Dean also served as a Deacon and Elder of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. Dean had a passion for serving others, a deep love for his family, and the joy of sharing the love and salvation of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His family and loved ones are assured he has entered his rest and the joy of his salvation. Surviving are his children, Jean Thomas, Lauren Hunt, Andy Anderson, Billy Anderson, Bobby Griffith (Bonnie), Steve Griffith, Warren Griffith (Jesslyn), and Leslie Collins (David) all of Greenville; a sister, Karen K. Bishop of Houston, Texas; fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Anderson; second wife, Shirley Anderson, a brother, Jerry Anderson; and grandson, Brooks Griffith. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church conducted by Rev. Andy Lewis and Rev. Curtis DuBose. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held 12:30-1:45 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to The Logos Theatre, 80 School St., Taylors, SC 29687 or Christian Learning Centers of Greenville County, P.O. Box 26824, Greenville, SC 29615. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Dean Anderson

April 3, 1931 - December 17, 2023