Members of Loyd Presbyterian church know the Rev. Tony Dean as their pastor, but others in the community may know him from his roles in “The Music Man” or simply as one of many swinging a hammer as part of a Habitat for Humanity build.

One role - leading Loyd - now has ended with his retirement, but Dean, 63, has no plans of disappearing from the community.

“I love LaGrange,” Dean said. “I see no need or desire to move.”

Dean was called to ministry and the military, serving 20 years as a chaplain in the Navy. He and his unit were on ships that took U.S. Marines into Bosnia in the late 1990s. When Dean retired from the military, he wanted to pastor a church and found Loyd Presbyterian in 2002.

The location was, and still is, ideal - he has family in Atlanta and Montgomery, Ala., and his mother still lives in Warner Robins.

One of his first “retirement projects” is to travel with his mother to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., then head to Oklahoma to see other family members.

“I wonder what else the good Lord has in mind for me,” Dean said, although he already plans to delve deeper into a few hobbies.

Along with Habitat and musical theater - he has a role in the LaGrange Lyric Theatre’s upcoming production of “Guys and Dolls” - he also volunteers with a local children’s art and diversity program, sponsored by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

He’ll also continue to volunteer and help with the West Georgia Veterans’ Council programs. He is one of the readers of the names of deceased veterans at the downtown memorial on Veterans Day every year. This year, he sang at the Memorial Day services.

“I can’t say no to the veterans,” he said. “That’s like saying no to your own mother.”

Dean says he’ll still keep in touch with members of his congregation, who sent him into retirement with a rod and reel.

“I don’t want to ever give up those personal connections,” he said. “You can walk away from a job, but not a group of people.”

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.