Robert Rex Deaton

Funeral services for Robert Rex Deaton, Sr. will be at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles on Sunday, January 4 at 3:00 PM with visitation beginning on Sunday, at 10:00 AM until time of services. Mr. Deaton died early Thursday morning, January 1, 2015 at his residence. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kathy Edwards Deaton, daughter Mary Deaton Partin of Houston, son Robby Deaton and wife, Kim, son Dr. Ben Deaton and wife, Melissa all of Houston and son Mike and wife Tracie of El Dorado, Arkansas, step daughter, Candice Martin Grimball and husband Phillip Grimball , stepsons Bear Martin and wife Tene, Eric Martin and wife Tracy, and Jake Martin all of Westlake,La, sisters Jane Hebert of Vinton and JoAnn Kimball of Alexandria, LA, brothers Jimmy Deaton of South Carolina, Don Deaton of Lafayette, LA and John Deaton of Lake Charles, 12 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Rex and Mildred Deaton and grandson, Morgan Deaton. Mr. Deaton was born in and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1959 where he was an outstanding basketball player, having his jersey and number retired when he graduated. He moved to Westlake where he resided for over 30 years. He retired from the Lake City Stevedores after 30 years as a Shipping Agent and opened his own shipping company, Hilmar Agency. He was also the owner and operator of Rex's Lawn Services. Mr. Deaton served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, sat on numerous committees, coached the men's softball team and ran the Westwood Baptist Church Seamen's Ministry for many years. He was very active as a softball, basketball and football coach for his children's various teams and loved playing all sports with them. Mr. Deaton was the President of the Westlake High School Cage Club for 10 years and was instrumental in fund raising through the Westlake Bingo Hall which generously supported all of the sports teams at Westlake High School. Mr. Deaton had a genuine love and concern for the elderly and helped take care of many senior citizens in the Lake Area by helping them both financially and by taking care of home repairs and errands, as needed. He provided for and cared for his handicapped, younger brother, John who will be lost without his big brother. He was very proud to be a huge supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause he was passionate about. He loved gardening. His great love was to spend time with his family, to play with his grandchildren and to take care of any need they had that he could meet. Mr. Deaton lived a full life and will be greatly missed!