The strength of Cleve Dean continues to be congratulated after his death in 2011. This year on May 4, Rogue Fitness posted a photo showing Dean’s strength and skill in the 1979 World’s Strongest Man Competition.
The FB comments show that many love this man who was known as the “arm breaker of Georgia” with a personality just as unique. He was around 6 ft 7 inches, making him hard to miss. He competed either right or left-handed despite his larger-than-average size. His hands were 8.5-10 inches from his palm to the tip of his third finger and 6 in wide with a size 20 ring on his ring finger.
Cleve was set apart from other “pullers” by his skill. Cleve had brute strength from his upbringing on a hog farm. Many news articles of the day describe how he could pick up a full-grown hog under each arm. In 1980, Cleve did explain to People Magazine that he felt he owed his strength and skill to growing up on his father’s hog farm. Farm work uses all muscles which strengthened him, “Cleve says, “when you farm like us,”
Growing up on the farm, in addition to having strong physical skills, jobs such as harvesting cotton and cattle created a work ethic. Terri remembers:
“He wasn’t the kind of guy that could work in an office or work for someone else.”
He had a few businesses throughout his life and his mobile home business is still family-owned today.
Tires know that hard work has created a strong work ethic for him. He had to harvest cotton and cattle growing up.
At home, Cleve’s family felt the same. Cleve’s youngest child of 3, Terri Dean notes that her Dad was strong, but he didn’t rule with an iron fist.
“He would give you a look, and you knew it was time to straighten up. He was laid back, gentle, loving and affectionate. He could talk with you to help you see things clearly.”
Terri fondly remembers a trip she took with her dad to Italy in 2001 for the World Armwrestling Championships. He loved traveling and learning more about various cultures, so they spent their time in Italy going to various iconic places like the Sistine chapel, riding on a Gondola, and observing Venice’s architecture.
Cleve, a farm boy from Georgia, may have enjoyed the perks of being a celebrity in his day. His daughter, Terri, still enjoys blessings now.
“I have him at the tips of my fingertips,” she explains. “I can find photos, videos, and interviews with him. On YouTube, after a match with Gary Goodridge, he is interviewed and says – Terri, Daddy loves you, baby – and it means the world to me.”
