Horace “Bud” Leo Deaton Jr. was born on November 10, 1942 in Butterfield, Arkansas to Horace and Madia Deaton. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 10 and was already teaching Sunday School by the age of 12. After high school and while attending college, Horace surrendered to the ministry on October 7, 1962 and was licensed by Bearing Cross Missionary Baptist Church. In 1963 he met his future wife Sandra Kay Powers. They became fast friends and developed a very special relationship that would unite their lives together in marriage on June 2, 1967. They later adopted two boys Scott and Brent who completed their family.
Horace always admitted that he was not the best student, but he spent much time in his quest for knowledge. He graduated from Matamoras High school in Ohio, and later from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with a Bachelor in Education degree. He later received a Bachelor of English Bible degree from Oklahoma Missionary Baptist Institute and his Master of Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Following his calling to teach and preach, Horace was ordained by Unity Missionary Baptist Church in 1968. What would follow was a long and full life in service to the Lord and teaching school. He taught mostly english and business education at public schools in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Oregon from 1964 to 2002. While teaching, he also regularly held pastorates leading churches in Hammond and Varnado Louisiana, Spiro Oklahoma, Hattiesburg Mississippi, Marlow Oklahoma, Pine Grove Arkansas, Houston Texas, Redmond Oregon and finally Magnolia Texas. While each of the churches he served were special to him and his development, he found his home at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church and has faithfully served as her pastor for the last 22 years. He also held the position of President of Heritage Baptist Institute in Missouri City.
Horace passed away on December 2, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Horace and Madia Deaton, a brother Kenny Deaton, and a sister Mary Bingham. He is survived and celebrated by his wife of 57 years Sandra Deaton, his son and daughter-in-law, Scott & Cathy Deaton, Son, Brent Deaton, In-laws Trent and Gloria Young, Gary and Brenda Powers, and Dan and Joanne Sneed, grandchildren Blaze Calderon, Reagan Deaton, Kendyl Deaton, Karsyn Deaton, Brady Roberts, and Judd Deaton as well as a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A celebration of Brother Deaton’s life will be held at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church 835 South Magnolia Blvd. Magnolia, TX 77355 on December 6, 2024. Formal visitation will be led by Bro. Danny Mendoza from 9:30am to 11:30am followed by lunch from 11:30am to 12:30pm. A church service will be held from 12:30pm to 1:30pm led by Bro. Bubba Moore, followed by a procession to Cashner Funeral Home located at 801 Teas Road Conroe, Texas 77303 for the graveside service conducted by Bro. Justin Gatlin. Pallbearers are Trent Young, Dan Sneed, Billy King, Joe Wiltrout, Steven Pace, Luis Carello, Josh Newman, Sean Radabaugh, and honorary pallbearers Brady Roberts and Judd Deaton.
It was Pastor Deaton’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to Heritage Baptist Institute at P.O. Box 124, Liberty, Texas 77575. Flowers and/or memorial contributions are equally welcome.
