Mr. Deal was a native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County and graduated Statesboro High School in 1960. After high school, he began his career at Brooks Instruments, where he worked his way up the ranks to become a mechanical engineer, retiring in 2002, after 42 years of service. Even while working full time at Brooks Instruments, he worked on his family farm with his parents raising hogs and growing corn, soybeans and other crops. Upon retiring from Brooks, Gene enrolled in Ogeechee Technical College, where he received an Associate’s Degree in Horticulture. He was a member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Jerry Woodbury Sunday School Class. He was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed hunting and working in his yard and garden, but his most enjoyable activity was spending time with his grandchildren, watching them play football, baseball and soccer. Gene was also a U. S. Army veteran, serving in the Army National Guard from 1959 to 1966.
Mr. Deal was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Gordon and Cleo Rowe Deal and his brother, Thomas Michael Deal.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jean Deal of Statesboro; daughters, Jacqueline Brown and her husband, Lester of Statesboro; Deborah Copeland and her husband, William of St. Augustine, FL; and Jennifer Watkins and her husband, Jonathan of Brunswick; sister, Frankie D. Woodrum of Statesboro; seven grandchildren, Jake Brown (Emilee Jones), Abby Brown, Will Copeland and Katie Copeland, Nate Watkins, Trey Watkins and Ross Watkins and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, November 12, 2018 in Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jimmy Cason officiating.
The burial will follow in Eastside Cemetery.
Nephews will service as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Statesboro First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2048, Statesboro, GA 30459 or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.
Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guest book and share fond memories with the Deal family.
Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
