Obituary for Donald B. Deacon
Donald Browning Deacon, 77, was called home to be with the Lord on December 1, 2020. His firm belief in God and devotion of his family supported him in his lengthy battle with cancer.
He was born on December 26, 1942 at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Donald attended Westville Schools and graduated from Merchantville High School in 1961.
He attended Davis and Elkins College, West Virginia and was a brother in Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1965.
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He did graduate work at West Virginia University, graduated from TCNJ with a Master of Arts and obtained his NJ teaching certification in biological and general sciences in 1966.
Donald began his teaching career at Memorial Middle School in Point Pleasant Borough, where he taught 8th grade science for 20 years. He continued in education for another 20 years at Point Pleasant Borough High School, teaching biology, oceanography and astronomy. Mr. Deacon, aka Deak, was a dedicated teacher, ensuring that he connected with and cared for his students, positively impacting the lives of thousands of students over the years.
While teaching he met the love of his life, Karen, also a teacher, to whom he has been married for 32 years. Their lives were blessed with the addition of their son DJ (Donald Joseph).
In 2003, he was honored as Ocean County Teacher of Year in the Teacher's Recognition Program.
After forty years of teaching, Donald retired in 2006 to enjoy new adventures.
During retirement years, Donald worked as a Tour Director for Curriculum Travel of America, leading student trips through Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City. He volunteered for many years as a handyman for Catholic Charities. He worked tirelessly as a Community Project Leader for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. He and his family spent many summer vacations in cross-country road trips traveling in their van. He and his son shared an active interest and involvement in meteorological events and building projects.
He was a daily swimmer and loved to beautify his surroundings and "play in the dirt" year round with his gardening.
At home, Donald was a gourmet chef, a jury rig Mr. Fix-It, a competitive board gamer and a superlative innovative problem solver.
Donald is survived by his wife, Karen and their son DJ, his sister, Ruth and brother-in-law Frank McLaughlin, nephews Frank McLaughlin and wife Shelia, Matthew McLaughlin and wife Kristin, niece Rachel Schultz and husband Bob, as well as several great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Doris, and his nephew Paul McLaughlin.
Donald will be buried at St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall Township on Saturday, December 5. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donald B. Deacon Memorial Scholarship Fund or to Samaritan's Purse.
Donald will be greatly missed.
He was born on December 26, 1942 at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Donald attended Westville Schools and graduated from Merchantville High School in 1961.
He attended Davis and Elkins College, West Virginia and was a brother in Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1965.
.
He did graduate work at West Virginia University, graduated from TCNJ with a Master of Arts and obtained his NJ teaching certification in biological and general sciences in 1966.
Donald began his teaching career at Memorial Middle School in Point Pleasant Borough, where he taught 8th grade science for 20 years. He continued in education for another 20 years at Point Pleasant Borough High School, teaching biology, oceanography and astronomy. Mr. Deacon, aka Deak, was a dedicated teacher, ensuring that he connected with and cared for his students, positively impacting the lives of thousands of students over the years.
While teaching he met the love of his life, Karen, also a teacher, to whom he has been married for 32 years. Their lives were blessed with the addition of their son DJ (Donald Joseph).
In 2003, he was honored as Ocean County Teacher of Year in the Teacher's Recognition Program.
After forty years of teaching, Donald retired in 2006 to enjoy new adventures.
During retirement years, Donald worked as a Tour Director for Curriculum Travel of America, leading student trips through Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City. He volunteered for many years as a handyman for Catholic Charities. He worked tirelessly as a Community Project Leader for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. He and his family spent many summer vacations in cross-country road trips traveling in their van. He and his son shared an active interest and involvement in meteorological events and building projects.
He was a daily swimmer and loved to beautify his surroundings and "play in the dirt" year round with his gardening.
At home, Donald was a gourmet chef, a jury rig Mr. Fix-It, a competitive board gamer and a superlative innovative problem solver.
Donald is survived by his wife, Karen and their son DJ, his sister, Ruth and brother-in-law Frank McLaughlin, nephews Frank McLaughlin and wife Shelia, Matthew McLaughlin and wife Kristin, niece Rachel Schultz and husband Bob, as well as several great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Doris, and his nephew Paul McLaughlin.
Donald will be buried at St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall Township on Saturday, December 5. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donald B. Deacon Memorial Scholarship Fund or to Samaritan's Purse.
Donald will be greatly missed.