Jerry Deaton

Jerry Deaton of Holland, OH and Naples, FL passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023. Jerry was born on February 25, 1929 in Beattyville, KY to Elizabeth Creech and Cord Deaton. Jerry’s high school graduating class was a total of 3 students. Following graduation, Jerry, his parents and siblings moved to Lebanon, OH. Jerry met and married Geraldine Baggett. They had two sons, James Cord and Joseph Preston Deaton. He served in the Army during the Korean War, his mother prayed that he would not have to go to Korea, he ended up spending his army years in Alaska. She always credited God for keeping Jerry safe. Jerry attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, IL. He returned to Maumee, OH, completed his apprenticeship program as an electrician in 1957 and started working for Laibe Electric. Laibe had a total of 3 employees. Jerry purchased the company from Ralph Laibe in 1961. He worked as an electrician during the day and took care of the billing and estimates at night. Jerry served the company as President and CEO. Jerry took the company from three to a hundred employees. Jerry’s motto was you conduct your business with a handshake and your word. He was a very humble and hard worker. He was extremely generous with his family, friends, and people in need. Jerry spent his summers boating on Lake Erie and the Maumee River. He was a member of Maumee River Yacht Club and Catawba Island Club. Jerry enjoyed boating trips with his family to Michigan and Canada. Jerry first got his pilot’s license in 1950 and due to working and raising a family he stopped flying. He then decided to pursue his flying ambitions again in the 1980’s. Jerry earned his private pilot’s license and instrument rating along with qualifying to fly a twin engine and taildragger. Jerry was happiest when he was hanging out at the airport with all the “flyboys”. Some of his planes included North American AT-6, Fairchild PT23, Piper Dakota and a Piper Seminole. Jerry enjoyed flying to the Bahamas with his great friends, the Lenardson’s. The trip always included landing in Marsh Harbor and taking a ferry to Hopetown Harbor Lodge. Our modes of travel always included an Aubury boat and a golf cart. Jerry looked forward to spending time with his sons teaching them how to drive a boat and pilot an airplane. As well as coaching them in the electrical business. Jerry was quite a jokester and had a great sense of humor. He loved to play jokes on his friends. Jerry attended Monclova Road Baptist Church where he was baptized on November 11, 2013. He was a member of the following flying organizations: AOPA, EAA, Local EAA 582, and a lifelong member of the Yankee Museum. He also belonged to the local IBEW and served as a member of the apprenticeship program. Jerry is survived by his wife of 39 years, Phyllis; sons, James Cord (Elaine) Deaton and Joseph Preston (Tammy) Deaton. grandchildren, Michael (Heather) and Lauren (David) Dzierwa, Zachary and Jacob Deaton; great grandchildren, Evan and Abigail Dzierwa and Olivia and Grayson Deaton. Jerry also is survived by his sister, Anita Oeder, Lebanon, OH. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and a sister, Betty Amburgy and a younger brother, Darrell Deaton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Jerry’s honor to The Monclova Road Baptist Church, 7819 Monclova Road, Monclova, OH 43642 or Young Eagles, Local EAA Chapter 582, 28329 Lemoyne Road, Milbury, OH 43447. Jerry’s funeral service will be held 11:00am Friday, July 14, 2023 at Monclova Road Baptist Church 7819 Monclova Road, Monclova, Ohio 43542, where friends are invited to visit after 10:00am. Pastor Oscar Velazquez will be officiating the service. A graveside service will be held at Toledo Memorial Park, 6382 Monroe Street, Sylvania, OH.

Jerry Deaton

February 25, 1929 - July 9, 2023