Richard Deas passes

When it comes to law enforcement, Richard Deas ran the gamut. He served as a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army, in the Georgia State Patrol, as Hazlehurst Police Chief, as Jeff Davis County Sheriff, and years with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

And during his path in law enforcement, he gained what he would have considered his greatest achievements — he became a devout Christian, a loving husband, a caring father and grandfather, and a dear friend to a wide range of people.

Richard Deas died June 8 surrounded by family after a fight with a debilitating infirmity that left him bedridden his final 10 years, lovingly cared for by the love of his life, his wife and his Angel, Joanne.

A native of Jeff Davis County, he was the son of the late Wesley and Harriet King Deas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Jo Deas, and nephew Spencer Owens.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Joanne Deas of Hazlehurst; sons, Stewart Deas of Fitzgerald, Brent Deas (Janie) of Leesburg, and Gilbert Deas of Moultrie; stepsons, Jason Lawson (Dawn) of Columbus, and Blake Lawson (Rachel) of Thomasville; sister, Debbie Owens (John) of Hazlehurst; brother, Jimmy Deas (Deanne) of Alpharetta; grandchildren, Anna Belle Lawson, Dylan Deas, Devin Deas, Drake Deas, Wesley Deas, Elizabeth Deas, and Katherine Deas; and many distant nephews and nieces.

Services were held June 11 at Hazlehurst Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Mock, the Rev. Allen Hartsfield, the Rev. Bobby Gale, and Richard’s longtime friend and fellow GBI agent Bill Butler, with military honors presented by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Jeff Davis County Veterans Association, and a bagpipes performance rendered by Scott Townley.

For more information, see the obituary page.