Reverend Dr. Michael Deaton
Reverend Dr. Michael Deaton, 74, known by all as “Dr. Mike”, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 in Webster, TX. He was born on October 16, 1945 in Del Rio, TX and was raised there by his parents Lloyd and Ruby Deaton.
Dr. Mike served in the Navy during the Vietnam War on the USS Forrestal and was on board during the tragic 1967 fire when he lost 134 shipmates. Though not always enjoying his time aboard ship, he was honored to have served in the Navy Band. At his last duty station in Rhode Island, he was able to play the music he really loved while serving in the Navy Jazz Band.
The best thing to come out of his time in the service was a blind date with a beautiful nursing student in Harrisburg, PA in 1966. He told her on their first date that he was going to marry her. She laughed, rightfully so, at the thought of marrying a brash, young sailor from Texas. It took two year to finally get her to the altar and after 52 years Nancy has never left his side.
In the early years of his marriage, Dr. Mike decided to follow in Nancy’s footsteps by attending and graduating from the University Of Texas School Of Nursing with a BSN. He then spent the next 25 years working in numerous hospitals. We don’t know if it was a nudge or a push, but his life changed directions into ministry. He began seminary at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree and then obtained his Doctorate Degree from Carolina University of Theology. Dr. Mike spent over 20 years serving churches in the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He was the Pastor of Caring Ministries at Clear Lake United Methodist Church at the time of his passing.
Dr. Mike was an avid reader all his life and always pursued knowledge, be it useful or not. As a young man he was active in Boy Scouts and was a second generation Eagle Scout. While in scouting he became a member of the Order of the Arrow and was bestowed with the Vigil Honor. He gave back his experiences in scouting by volunteering as an adult leader and helping many young men achieve their Eagle Scout. Dr. Mike was active in Rotary most of life, and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Later in life he decided to take up fishing. After catching his first Redfish and being unable to get the fish over the rocks at the Texas City Dike, he fixed the problem by buying a boat the very next day. The family proceeded to have many misadventures with “Captain” Mike.
Dr. Mike and Nancy enjoyed several European cruises, but the most memorable trip was to the Holy Land last year with his church family.
He is preceded in death by his parents. Dr. Mike is survived by his loving wife Nancy Deaton; son Ross “Tony” Deaton and wife Melissa; sister Debbie Staniford and husband Norman; and numerous extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00AM at the Columbia United Methodist Church in West Columbia, TX. Following the service a burial of ashes will take place at the Old Columbia Cemetery across the street from the church. Officiating the services will be Rev. Joel McMahon and Rev. Paul Kethley. Social distancing and mask protocols will be observed.
*********
A memorial service at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 7:00PM with Rev. Charles Anderson officiating. If you would like to stream the service, please click the following link https://vimeo.com/551537596/4fda91a578
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home at www.mch.org, the Memorial Fund at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice.
There is one less angel on Earth and one more in Heaven now, as God has given our dear Dr. Mike eternal life. Mike gave his all to us and showed Christ’s sacrificial love to everyone. He truly had a servant’s heart and he will be sorely missed. I am praying for comfort for Nancy and Tony and all the other loved ones who grieve his passing.
My heart is broken at the loss of a dear friend who never failed to be there for me in times of great need in my life. One day while he was at LaMarque and I was at Aldersgate UMC in Santa Fe, I had a medical situation beyond my knowledge. It wasn’t an emergency but I wanted someone to see it who knew more about it than I did. I called and just said, “Can you come over here for a minute?” He asked no questions but dropped what he was doing and came. At a point when I was having a bit of a crisis of faith, he was there. He was a ready and listening ear but he also was going to say what you needed to hear, not necessarily what you wanted to hear. I will miss my friend.
We are saddened to hear of your father passing away Tony and Melissa. What a beautiful obituary and a wonderful life on earth for Mike. May he rest in peace. We will continue saying prayers for strength and healing for you guys, your mother Nancy, family, church family & friends.
Our Sympathy to Nancy and Family We will be praying for you all and He will be truly missed.
Dr. Mike was such a kind and compassionate person which made him the perfect choice for the Congregational Care pastor at our church. His love for all people shown through! His sense of humor would brighten your day, even if you were not having such a great day. He truly loved His Heavenly Father and His people with such passion and devotion.
We have no doubt that Dr. Mike is now enjoying every moment of “heavenly jazz” with his Maker. We will miss him greatly!
We send our deepest sympathies to Nancy and all the family and friends who loved him so dearly. May God give you comfort, strength, and peace as you grieve the loss of this wonderful man.
Dr. Mike was one of a kind. He had a deep faith, great sense of humor, loved music and lit up when he talked about Nancy. I always looked forward to his visits when I worked in the music office at church. Nancy, Tony and Melissa, I pray you find peace and comfort as you remember his life well lived. Dr. Mike, you will be greatly missed.
I have lost such a great and amazing friend. I know he’s having fun, I will miss our morning chats and odd jokes and especially you giving me a hard time. You were a mentor to me and always first to praise me for my accomplishments. My heart is with Nancy To whom I send my love.
I really didn’t get to spend much time with Dr. Mike other than our visits while I was volunteering as receptionist at the church office. I really did enjoy when he would drop into the office. He was witty and forthright! I felt that he was a very busy man taking care of people, so those times were short but precious. He recommended some really good books.
I would have loved to have known what instrument he played, I would guess trumpet or sax. I’m so happy that music had been part of his life because it brings us so much joy.
Nancy and Tony, I am so sorry for your loss and for ours. We will all miss Dr. Mike so very much!
Sorry for your Loss Praying for You and Your Family RIP Mike in the Arms of Our Heaven Father
Dr Mike Was special to so many. He always made me laugh and think. I’ve learned so much from him. I will miss him.
I know we feel great loss so I’m having trouble imaging how much more you must hurt. I’m keeping all of you in my prayers and hope we can be of help in some way.
Love,
Carol Bass
Having grown up with Mike in Del Rio, sorry to learn of his death.
RIP Mike
Proud to have met Mr. Deaton through a lifelong friend, his son Tony Deaton. Our deepest condolences from the Smith family, Brian, Amanda, and Bradley. The world is a lesser place without him in it.
May you R.I.P. ✝️
on June 14th Mike shared a photograph of mine and wrote the following: Mike Deaton I was thinking this morning that Stewart and I have been friends for over 70 years. We haven’t seen each other in over 25 years but old friendships never died. Glad he is always willing to share his work. I used to use his photos as backgrounds for worship slides. Since I don’t make those slides anymore I don’t get to share his work as often. I will always treasure this coming from Mike and I thought I would have him in my life forever. Again to all Mikes family and wife condolence and prayers. For sure Heaven has a new Angel.
Nancy,Tony and family
So sorry for your loss.He was a loving,caring person,friend.Been a long time since we worked together but will always remember everything I learned from him.
I miss my friend, Dr. Mike. We shared a similar sense of humor. He always had a good story to relate. His advice was always worth the asking. I always told him to stay out of trouble, he rarely followed my advice. Heaven will benefit from our loss.
Nancy, Tony, and family
Mike was a valued classmate and scouting counselor.
Earthly friends and family will miss him.
Peace to all.
Dear Nancy and Family of Pastor Mike,
I loved his smile, sense of humor, his great testimony at several funerals I attended and always a feeling of “I like you” whenever we would greet. I did not realize that he had musical training, but I know he appreciated the orchestra’s efforts to play well for services. He told Glen, who plays the bass, that whenever he sat in front of Glen that Glen’s bass made his teeth rattle. Dr. Mike came to visit me in the hospital last year and it meant so much that he was there and prayed for me. I will certainly miss his presence in church, but know that he is with Jesus. Amen
My most sincere condolences to the family of Mike. ( Nancy & Tony ).
May God grant him eternal rest. My prayers & Blessings are with you (Nancy).
I meet Mike & Nancy at V.V.M.H. in Del Rio , Texas while work with them at the hospital.
Dear Nancy, I was a bit shocked to hear of your hubby’s sudden passing. Although I did not meet him I wish now I had. He sounds like a very special man with plenty of talent & was loved & appreciated by all who knew him. I send my sincerest condolences to you & your families. My prayers are especially for you & your son.
Dear Nancy and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, we are so sorry for your loss. Dr. Mike was very kind and compassionate.
We enjoyed the way he ministered to the congregation, the message he taught would include his sense of humor with the lesson. He will be missed.
Bob & Debbie Anson
Hi Nancy, Tony and Melissa,
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Mike was a joy to be around and when you came to McVeytown your Uncle Jim and me were so glad you always found time to check on us. Will always remember the time you visited and Tony sang “Elvira” for us. I know he was so proud of Tony.My thoughts and prayers are will all of you and will have many good memories of my nephew, Mike Deaton.
Dear Nancy and family,
I have many fond memories of yours and Mike’s time shepherding LPUMC in Chandler. Grief work is a journey and I am praying for you during this time.
So very sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. I went to school with him in Del Rio.
I had the pleasure of working with Mike Deaton to establish the Advance Life Support EMS Service at Val Verde Regional Hospital during the 1980’s. Mike was a great person to work with and a good friend. We worked together on EMS projects until he and Nancy left the Del Rio area. I am so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. My condolences Nancy , family and friends
Dr. Mike. Well friend, I wanted to say thank you. I needed all of the encouragement, jokes, advice, and definitely enjoyed your stories of wisdom over the time I have gotten to know you. You definitely left and impression on me and so many. Starbucks, our other office, is going to miss your morning humor. Dr. Mike, thank you for shining your light and God’s love with grace, courage, humility, and fire! Bravo!
Dr. Mike whenever he would see me during Sunday services often talk with me about how I was doing and he had a genuine interest in everything I said, you could see it in his eyes that he was just one of those special people. I felt so honored he would even think of talking to me.
Your words when you officiated my father’s funeral will always stick with me forever, may you rest in peace now and be forever with God.
I live in the home that Michael Deaton grew up in Del Rio Texas. We are Boy Scouters and my son is also an Eagle Scout. I am sad that I only had the opportunity to meet Mr. Deaton once (at Camp Fawcett) and had not yet made the connection. He will be raised on Eagles Wings. God Bless.