Michael Ward Deputy

He was a father, brother, or friend to everyone who knew him.

Mike was born December 2, 1961 to Evelyn Virginia Price Deputy and John William Deputy in Marlinton, West Virginia.

As a child, Mike explored the mountains surrounding his home and learned to hunt, fish, and live off of the land. His first job was helping his Dad and brothers with the family logging business where they used chainsaws and horses to cut and move logs from the woods to the sawmill. Spending so much of his formative years outdoors fostered a lifelong love of being outside, which he passed on and shared with his family and friends.

Having a particular gift for athletics, he ran track and played football and basketball in high school where he held the state record for track and proudly recalled playing high school basketball with Ralph Samson, who went on to play in the NBA. His love for football led him to continue playing as an adult with the semi-professional team the Atlanta Cougars in 1984 and 1985.

Building on his love of the outdoors, Mike made a career for himself in the trades. After meeting Frances in 1984 and moving to Atlanta, Mike continued to work in the building and construction industry and owned his own business for nearly 40 years, making friends out of customers and fellow tradespersons along the way in the southeastern United States.

Sons Stephen and Trey were lucky enough to learn the trades by working alongside him, where he instilled a strong work ethic, an appreciation for a job well done, and a sense of satisfaction from creating something from nothing with your mind and your hands. Mike made sure they got an education and did anything but follow in his footsteps by giving them the dirtiest, worst jobs he could. He often spoke of wanting both boys to make a living using only what they carried in their heads, and not what they carried in their tool bags.

His love of sports and the outdoors came together when his son Stephen became interested in baseball. He proudly coached little league with his wife Frances from when Stephen was aged 6, through travel ball, until Stephen began playing for North Cobb High School. He never missed a game.

After working in and traveling around the southeast with businesses and general contractors like Double T, Bruce Construction, Natural Body, and Winesett-Hill, Mike decided it was time to be home at the end of every day so that he could spend time with his family and grandchildren. Once he’d made the decision, he took a position with C&W Contracting where he quickly became part of the family there with Curtis, Chris, Rex, and others.

Mike was a devoted and loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed helping others, was very outgoing, and never met a stranger.

Mike was a friend to everyone he met, and was loved and will be missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Frances, his children Trey (Tiffany), Stephen (Missy), Andrea (Tony), mother Evelyn (Frank), and brother Robert (Rhonda); granddaughter Ophelia (aka Feefer) and grandsons Kellan, Jacob, Tony, and Arlie; nieces Jennifer, Melissa, Crystal, Shea, Jill, Dana, Shannon, Mandy, and Tina Mariee and nephews John the III, Brett, Shane, Sean, Shad, Thad, Josh, Mike, Michael, Kenneth, and John; great-nieces Montana and Scarlett and great-nephews Sean, Morgan, Dawson, and Darren.

Grieving along with the family are his best friends Rex and Russell, and close friends Justin, Josh, Ronnie, Bob, Lee, Mark, Mo, Danny, Sammie, and Brock.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, John William Deputy, and brother, John William Deputy, Jr. (Bill).

A visitation for Mike will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will follow the visitation at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Pine Ridge Memorial Park Kennesaw, Georgia 31052.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com__;!!