Obituary of Robert Kirksey Deaton ~ 2005

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: Greensboro News & Record Feb 24 2005

ORIENTAL - Robert Kirksey "Bob" Deaton, 52, died at his home in Oriental 
on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005.  A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on 
Friday at the Oriental United Methodist Church on Freemason Street in 
Oriental.
Bob was born on April 7, 1952, in Asheville. He grew up in Greensboro and 
was the son of Drs. Ralph and Fran Deaton. He graduated from Grimsley 
Senior High School, Lees-McRae Junior College in Banner Elk and the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the 
Pica Fraternity.
Bob was an entrepreneur and had a keen eye for bargains and business 
opportunities. In 1979, he moved to Oriental and founded Deaton Yacht 
Service. He was involved with the Pamlico County Committees of 100 and 
Chamber of Commerce. He had a wide network of friends and contacts and 
will be missed by many.
Bob stayed very active and healthy until the time of his death. He was a 
dedicated son and father, loving partner and great organizer for Deaton 
family reunions. He enjoyed participating in triathlons, gardening, 
fishing and hunting, sailing and traveling with his family. In spite of 
the demands of the boatyard, he fully understood that his family came 
first and took the time to nurture and grow those relationships.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his dear companion, Skylar Sykes, who 
he often referred to as his "little" wife; and a daughter and son, Brooke 
and Jake, all of the home. 
Also surviving are his mother, Dr. Fran Bennett and husband Truett of 
Oriental; brothers, Bill Deaton and wife Amelia of Pleasant Garden and 
John Deaton and wife Karen of Oriental; sisters, Elizabeth Deaton Scullin 
and husband Ron of Warrenton, Va., Susan Deaton of Greensboro and Ann 
Deaton of Houston, Texas. Bob was known as the "fun uncle" by many nieces 
and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. W. Ralph Deaton Jr.
Family and friends will gather and visit in his memory from 7 to 9 p.m. 
today at the Kennedy house at 704 Hodges Street in Oriental. A celebration 
of Bobs life will also be held at his home at 512 Audubon Drive, Oriental, 
after the service on Friday.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to 
either the Dottie Gray Ambulance Fund on 722 Bent Tree Road in Oriental, 
the Southeast Pamlico First Response Team at P.O. Box 429 in Oriental or 
the Pica Fraternity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance.





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