- Date Of Birth: September 19, 1935
- Date Of Death: July 23, 2021
- City: Elk City
- State: Oklahoma
Don was born on September 19, 1935, in Elk City, Oklahoma to Clarence William and Zola Ann (Yount) Deaton and passed away on July 23, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Pueblo, Colorado at the age of 85.
Donald Eugene Deaton grew up in Oklahoma, he was raised by his father and his two older sisters Pauline and Vera Mae. Don’s mother passed away from cancer when he was 6 years old.
He entered the Army in 1954, at the age of 19, and was honorably discharged in 1956. While in the Army he attended the Signal Corps School and was trained as a “High-Speed Radio Operator”. After leaving the Army he started working as a telegrapher with the Santa Fe Railroad. His job took him to Cimarron, Kansas where he met and fell in love with Anna Mae Sears. They married in 1957 and their first daughter, Debra Lynn was born in Dodge City in 1958. When Debbie was 3 months old, he transferred to Lamar Colorado to work as a telegrapher, in the train depot there. They put down roots in Lamar and had 3 more daughters, Brenda Sue in 1959, Deidra Ann in 1963, and Barbara Join 1966.
Don delivered freight on the weekends. The freight came in on the train and he along with Bob Marston and Melvin Hendrickson would deliver orders to the local businesses. This was long before UPS and other companies were formed.
Don was promoted to train dispatcher in La Junta, Colorado, and commuted for many years When Santa Fe decided to downsize and close the office in La Junta, Don was transferred to Newton, KS. and then once more transferred to Albuquerque, N.M. The company was downsizing again, and this time it would have been Chicago, IL. Don decided that was enough and retired in 1992 at the age of 57.
Don loved to go camping, family vacations were most often spent camping and fishing in the mountains. He loved to work in the yard, garden, and he was very skilled at woodworking. He was always willing to help with projects at the church, requests from his wife, daughters, and friends who needed some advice or help in their homes. Don and Ann made countless marble boards and other craft items that Ann would lovingly paint to sell. Don and Ann loved to travel. They enjoyed taking grandchildren on camping trips or other places when possible. Don and Ann also traveled to all 50 states.
Don loved his family and joyfully welcomed each grandchild into the family. He was thrilled to finally have some boys around and taught them many things. He treasured his granddaughters also and had wonderful relationships with each of his grandchildren.
Don and Ann moved to Pueblo in 2008. Ann passed away in 2013. Don married Marlene Eddleman in 2014 and they lived in Pueblo, CO.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Deaton; his parents Clarence and Zola Deaton , his son-in-law, Mike Herrera and his sisters Pauline Prokup and Vera Mae Teasley.
Don is survived by his wife, Marlene Deaton, daughters, Debbie Herrera of Lamar, CO, Brenda (Rick) Baker of Pueblo, CO, Deidra (Doyle) Schaeffer of Greeley, CO and Barbara (Mike) Van Campen of Holly, CO; grandchildren Bryan (Charlotte), Jason (Amber), Shane (Connie), Javin (Wendy), Josiah (Kamil), Jalea (Caleb), Justin, Dairay (Wayne), Dayne (Carlye), Reese (Ashley), Brandi (Bryce), Tyler (Kaylee) and Preston (Ashlyn). He is also survived by thirty-one great-grandchildren with one on the way as well as numerous other family and many friends.
