The community is remembering Kerry Dean of Monroe City who died Wednesday at the age of 76.

Dean grew up in Monroe City, graduated from South Knox High School in 1968, and went on to earn a degree in meteorology. He became a familiar face across the Wabash Valley as chief meteorologist at Channel 2 in Terre Haute the region from 1979 through 1990.

His colleague Jesse Walker says Dean took a chance on him when he was still a college student and helped launch a career that’s lasted decades.

Officials with the Blue Jeans Community Center say Kerry had a strong commitment to his community. He is credited as the driving force in creating the Blue Jeans Community Center in 1999. He also helped start the Monroe City Fall Festival, and spent years working telethons to raise awareness and money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Monroe City Blue Jeans Center.