Dean Martin Tolson

Dean Martin Tolson is the incumbent Clerk of the Superior Court for Dare County, North Carolina, and is seeking re‑election to that office as a Republican in the 2026 general election. The Clerk of Superior Court is the chief administrator of the county’s trial‑court system, responsible for maintaining court records, processing filings, collecting fees, and providing support services to judges, attorneys, and the public【11†L1-L4】.

Tolson was born on November 25, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he played power forward for the Razorbacks and was selected in the fifth round of the 1974 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics【5†L9-L15】. He spent three seasons in the NBA, appearing in 80 games, and also played in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas before retiring from professional basketball in 1981【5†L23-L31】.

After his basketball career, Tolson returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (with an emphasis in Law) from East Carolina University in 1994, graduating with honors【11†L13-L16】. He began a career with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in 1995, rising to the rank of Probation Officer II and being named Judicial District 1 Probation Officer of the Year in 2008【11†L17-L20】.

In November 2013, Tolson was sworn in as Dare County’s Clerk of Superior Court after the retirement of Merlee Austin. The appointment was made by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jerry R. Tillett, and Tolson has served in that capacity ever since【11†L1-L8】. As clerk, he has overseen the office’s daily operations and, in 2021, appointed retired magistrate Philip Ruckle as a temporary, part‑time clerk to address a surge in paperwork【12†L1-L7】.

Tolson is also a certified Cal Ripken League baseball coach, a longtime volunteer coach since 2003, and serves on the board of the Manteo First Assembly of God, where he is an active member. He is married, has three children, and resides in Manteo, North Carolina【11†L21-L24】. His public service record combines experience in law enforcement, court administration, and community leadership, which he highlights as qualifications for continued service as Clerk of Superior Court.

Sources

• [5] Dean Tolson - Wikipedia
• [11] The Outer Banks Voice - Former probation officer takes over as clerk of Dare court
• [12] Retired magistrate called back to active duty