Dr. Dean John Champion

Dr. Dean John Champion, popular TAMIU professor of criminal justice. Dr. Dean John Champion left his earthly life to join his Heavenly Father on Feb. 23, 2009. This was after suffering an extremely brief struggle with leukemia. A California native, he was predeceased byparents Dewey and Erma Champion; brother, Frank Champion; daughter, Geri Ann Champion; and his only grandson, Sr. Airman William Newman.He is Survived by his wife, Gerri K.; his son and daughter-in-law Dr. Sean (Canaan) Champion, M.D., Arkansas; stepdaughter Wendy L. Turner; Ohio; and brother-in-law William (Sharon) Sprinkle, Virginia. Other survivors include three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his sisters Betty Digati, CA; Janice (Elmer) Moore, AZ; and his brother Gail Ralph (Georgiana) Champion, UT. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.Dr. Champion was a proud graduate of Brigham Young University where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. His PHD was earned at Purdue University. He was serving as a Professor of Criminal Justice at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Tx. During his career, he had taught at the University of Tennesse,California State University, and Minot State University where he served as department chair for several years.A prolific writer, Dr. Champion had written 40 texts and/or edited works. Recognized internationally, several of his books have been published in Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Spanish editions. Just recently two of his new books had been or are in the process of being released. Additionally, he was in the process of working in collaboration with colleagues on new co-authored texts with were well underway at the time of his passing.Dr. Champion was an active member in many professional organizations. He was a lifetime member of the American Society of Criminology, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and the American Sociological Association. He was a former editor of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences/Anderson Publishing Company Series on Issues in Crime and Justice and the Journal of Crime and Justice. He was selected as a Visiting Scholar for the National Center for Juvenile Justice and was a former president of the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association. Dr. Champion was a strong proponent of distance learning, having designed and/or offered numerous online courses in the area of criminal justice. His specialty interests included juvenile justice, criminal justice administration, corrections and statistics/methods.A recipient of many awards, two of the honors for which he was most proud were being named as TAMIU Distance Educator of the Year in 2006 and the College of Arts and Sciences Scholar of the year 2006-2007. He also enjoyed receiving the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout many years ago.At his request, Dr. Champion’s remains will be cremated. Plans for a memorial service are undecided.The family suggests that those who wish to make a contribution in his name contribute to Laredo Food Bank or another charity of your choice.The family extends much gratitude to the entire staff at Laredo Medical Center for their valiant efforts during Dr. Champion’s health crisis. Particular thanks are extended to Dr. Charles Nizioli, ER physician; Dr. Eduardo Miranda, hematologist/oncologist; Todd Powell, RN in the ICU, and all other physicians, nurses and staff who contributed to our loved one’s care, particularly those in ER, ICU, and Third Floor C.