Ray Deal

Ray Deal, 86 went to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Catawba Regional Hospice. Born November 8, 1926 in Burke County, NC, he was the son of the late John Evelyn Deal and Mary Clara Singleton Deal. Ray was a former deacon and active & faithful member of Penelope Baptist Church in Hickory. He was a wonderful Christian example to his family and a loving husband and father. Ray was well respected and thought of highly for his honesty. He served in both the Army in WWII, serving in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria as frontline combat in a machine gun squadron. He also served as Staff Sergeant in the Air Force during the Korean War; serving in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In addition to his wife of 59 years, Billie Byrd Deal; a daughter, Marilyn Rae Deal of Hickory; a brother, Clinton L. Deal of Morganton; two sisters-in-law, Dannie Allison and husband Joe and Carolyn Shuping and husband Ray, both of Valdese; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins survive him. In addition to his parents; a daughter, Ruthie Deal; three sisters, Hazel Sullivan, Nina Myrick and Phyllis Longbotham; and two brothers, Clyde Deal and Ervin Deal preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Penelope Baptist Church. The Reverend, Dr. Aubrey Folk and Rev. Don Ingle will officiate. The family will receive friends 11-12:00 p.m., one hour prior, at the church. Military Rites will be provided by Post #48. Memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 or Penelope Baptist Church, 3310 Main Avenue N.W. Hickory, NC 28601. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Deal family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton.