Blake F Deal, Jr.

Blake F. Deal Jr., also affectionately known by many as “Junior” or “Papaw” passed away at Gordon Family Hospice in Statesville on Thursday, Sept. 14th. He was 82 years old and had suffered a stroke on Sept. 1st.  After his stroke the family considered an attempt at stroke rehabilitation but in an unusually clear time of lucidity on Sept. 11th Blake clearly communicated to his loved ones that he did not want rehabilitation but was “ready to go and be with the Lord”.  After being assured that his wishes would be honored he drifted into a peaceful partial slumber during which he was visited by all of his family and countless friends and loved ones.  It was not until after the last group of grandchildren had visited that he gave up his soul to his Lord Jesus Christ, while surrounded by family. He was born in the Bradford’s Crossroads Community of Iredell County and was the son of the late Blake F. Deal Sr and Stella Caudill Deal.  He attended Celeste Henkel High School where he was All State in basketball under Coach “Keyhole” Jones and attended Pfeiffer College on a basketball scholarship where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.  He finished his education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Masters Degree in Education.  During college, he married his high school sweetheart Shirley Lee Mayberry and after graduation they moved to Tampa, FL where both taught at Hillsboro High School.  While in Tampa Blake served in the National Guard for 2 years during the Cuban Missile Crisis and finished his military obligations with the US Army Reserve Artillery Unit after the couple returned to teach school in Charlotte, NC.  He received his Honorable Discharge on March 17th, 1963.  Blake and Shirley both taught Vocational Education primarily at North Mecklenburg High School until he retired in 1989.  He also worked at Carolina Tire Co. in Concord, NC in the late 1950’s and during the 1970’s owned and operated the White Oak Country Store and Flea Market in Iredell County.   He grew up in Beulah Baptist Church where his father served as a Deacon and later in life attended First Baptist Church in Statesville where he was a member for 45 years.  Blake was skilled in construction and built his family houses first on Mt. Hermon Church Rd next to his parent’s farm in 1974, then a house on Mountain Island Lake in Huntersville in 1982.  He passed on those construction skills to his sons and his favorite way to spend the day in later life was helping his boys on a building project. He will be remembered as a man of great knowledge, skill, patience, integrity and love, and for his simple way of expressing himself that was yet so articulate and timeless.  Many have benefited from his teaching and life lessons. He is survived by his beloved wife Shirley of 61 years and 13 days, his three sons Blake F. Deal III (wife Sarah) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Darron Martin Deal (wife Patricia) of Mooresville, NC, Michael Dewey Deal (wife Sarah) of Advance, NC, adopted daughter Frances Victoria Wilson (husband Jim) of Statesville, eight grandchildren whom he loved dearly and spent much time with: Ian, Julia, Blakely, Savannah, Remington Jack, Grey, Margo, and Ann-Marie, his sister Betty Matthews, and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brothers Paul (wife Marie), Vance (wife Louise), and sisters Etta Sue (husband Ben), and Pauline (husband Bill).   A graveside service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17th at 3:30 in the Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville with Dr. Nelson Granade, Dr. Jack Causey, and Dr. Jeff Porter with singing by Charles Guy.  The family will visit with friends and loved ones following the service at First Baptist Church- in Adams Hall.  Pallbearers will be Blake F. Deal III, Darron Deal, Michael Deal, Billy Martin, John Martin, Bill Fulp, Ian F. Deal, and Octavius Davies.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Statesville.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com .  Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Deal family.