(written by his Sister, Cathy)
Paul Eugene Deeds, 62, went home to our Lord July 27, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lived the majority of his life. Paul was born January 7, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa to Robert (Bob) and Iris (Sexe) Deeds. Paul’s last position was at VyStar Credit Union in Jacksonville where he worked in the mortgage department.
Paul is survived by son, Brian (Maria); daughter Jessica (Chris) Campbell; granddaughter Aimee Deeds; sister Cathy (Mike) Fisher - Texas; niece Christina (Chris) Noah and their children John Michael and Savannah Raye - Texas. There is also a large extended family on both Iris and Bob’s sides of the family, primarily in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
Paul had a brother, Steve, who was 10 years older and a sister, Cathy, who was 7 years older. Two infant babies, Steven
Douglas and Barbara Jean, died prior to the birth of Steve, as Iris was unable to carry them full term. Paul was the much loved “Baby” and the age differences in the siblings melted away as they grew up – you could say they grew up faster with a handicapped sibling – and no one had better stare at Steve as if he were different from anyone else!
Steve contracted both forms of polio when he was a baby and was eventually confined to a wheelchair. Paul and Cathy spent many hours helping Steve maneuver around the house, pushing his wheelchair when out and about, playing cards and board games with him, etc. Steve was their hero for his faith, intellect, musical ability, bravery and love of family. But being normal brothers, they still teased each other and enjoyed giving Cathy “laughing fits.”
Paul was blessed with two children, Brian and Jessica. who he loved with all his heart. When Aimee was born to Brian, Paul was one proud Grandpa and adored that little girl. The children still reside in Jacksonville – Brian with his wife, Maria, and Jessica with her husband, Chris. Paul had a deep love for his children, their spouses, his granddaughter, his sister, Cathy, and her husband Mike, who live in Texas. Paul’s lifelong friend, Tony Mortoza (from Des Moines) visited Paul frequently in Florida and was like part of the Deeds’ family, too. The parents of Maria and Chris were always kind to Paul and tried to always invite him to family events.
Paul and Brian have the same laugh so Paul left us part of him in Brian. Paul would always say “that’s my boy”, and Brian had a funny response. Jessica started to fly to Iowa to see her grandparents when she was very young. Paul would write to Jessica at her grandparents and send her spending money. Paul had that Deeds’ gardening/green thumb gene and Jessica has it, too. She and Chris enjoy having a garden and growing beautiful flowers and bushes.
Steve’s death at the age of 57 in 2007 was a huge loss. By that time Steve’s nephew, Brian, and two nieces, Jessica and Christina, had been going to Iowa and staying for weeks in the summer with their Deeds Grandparents. They enjoyed spending time with Steve watching movies and playing games. Steve only lived a couple of blocks from his parents, so the grandkids could easily walk back and forth. Steve always had the newest DVD’s and CD’s and would make popcorn for everyone. Before his post polio syndrome became too severe, he also played his guitar and sang.
Paul had a mischievous grin as well as a sweet smile, and he gave the best hugs. Paul had his Dad Bob’s gift of storytelling and could recount funny stories of the family moves (due to Bob’s job) from Iowa to Texas back to Iowa then to Ohio, back to Iowa, then ultimately Paul made his home in Jacksonville, Florida. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could lighten any topic with a joke or a meme. Paul loved all types of music and, like all 3 kids, grew up on Country Music. Paul had many physical limitations in recent years, but he used to love to go fishing. Paul fished in rivers and lakes in Iowa and then found endless fishing opportunities in Florida. Paul was also an awesome cook! His homemade spaghetti sauce was the best and he loved to grill outside.
There were many cats along the way with Jessica’s love for cats, but a shout out has to go to Sassy, Paul’s loyal dog, and Max and Bobo (cats) they shared as a family, - they were the cats Paul respected the most. Sweet Little Honey (cat) was the last pet who gave Paul much comfort for many years at the end when he lived alone. When she died, Paul said no more pets. But he made friends with outdoor critters. A couple of months before Paul died he told Cathy he was feeding a yellow tail racoon who was old with poor eyesight and named him ”Rocky”.
Paul also tried to stay connected to his large extended family (primarily cousins). There are too many to mention but Mary Rouse and Paul were very close and Facebook messaged frequently (they both give great hugs!) Shawn and Linda Shannon talked to Paul frequently and opened up their home when we traveled to Iowa. Randy Shannon also made calls to check up on Paul and they would discuss the Lord. Paul also loved to talk on the phone to his Aunt Patty who is the last of his Mom’s 10 siblings; he said it was like talking to his Mom. Oh, how Paul loved his Mom and missed her when she died of cancer in 2011. Paul also loved his WWII Navy Veteran “Pops”, who died of cancer in 2016. Paul could tell Pops’ Navy stories almost as well as Pops did; those stories will be missed.
Paul’s greatest love was for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul’s faith formed at a young age and his Mom, Iris, used to say he should be a pastor. Paul did the next best thing – he made a lifelong friend of Pastor Dean Zemple, who was Paul’s Pastor in Jacksonville when they both had small children. After Pastor Zemple moved to Wisconsin, they always stayed in touch and Pastor Dean traveled to Jacksonville to perform Paul’s daughter Jessica’s wedding. Pastor Dean also traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to perform the funerals for both of Paul’s parents. Pastor Dean has been a great comfort to the family during this time of sorrow. Paul didn’t have the physical mobility anymore, but he was an active prayer warrior, and he prayed for each and every one of us every day. Paul was a lifelong student of God’s Word and he was very knowledgeable of the Bible. In his last days Paul stressed God’s love, mercy and grace. He wanted everyone to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Paul’s Mom, Iris, used to say there will be no goodbyes in Heaven. This is a temporary goodbye until we see you again, Paul.
Private immediate family remembrance of Paul took place in Jacksonville. The family is prayerfully considering a remembrance gathering in Iowa at a later date (to be determined).
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