N. Rone Deas

N. Rone Deas – a man of faith, husband, proud father and grandfather, friend, and a gentleman – passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024. The eldest of four children, Rone was born to Alice Marie Myrick Deas and Noland Milton Deas on May 2, 1938, in the tight knit community of Coffeeville, Alabama. After graduation from Coffeeville High School, he attended the University of West Alabama, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1962. He met his wife, Lynn, through mutual friends and the two married on August 4,1963 in the First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Alabama.
​Rone enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in the textile apparel industry, beginning as an Industrial Engineer with Vanity Fair Corporation. His career took him and his family to locations throughout the southeast, eventually settling in Thomasville in 1976. Rone’s career flourished, and he became a renowned textile manufacturing expert working both domestically and internationally. Over the next years, his work assignments took him not only across North America, but also South and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Throughout his career, he was frequently published in various industry journals. One of the most rewarding parts of his work life was the opportunity to make connections with the communities in which he worked. Despite a hectic travel schedule, Rone always prioritized being present with his family, and his international career provided opportunities for his family to travel with him often.
Rone was a friend to everyone he met, and the near 50 years of living in Thomasville GA, his friends became like family. After retirement, Rone continued to embrace his love of travel, enjoying experiences with family and friends. At the same time, he was also involved in activities that his children and grandchildren enjoyed – golf, hunting, fishing, sailing, and coastal life on the Gulf of Mexico.
​A quiet, unassuming man, Rone always displayed a service to others when he saw a need. He was known to be considerate, gracious, generous, and kind, and was always happy and willing to help those in need. To that end, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 225 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, Georgia, 31792, earmarked for the Shallow Well Fund of the Marion Medical Mission.
​Rone is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lynn; his three children, Ronda Deas Davis (Hal) of Jacksonville, FL , Noland Rone Deas Jr. (Chandler) of Ashland, VA, and Melissa Leigh Deas of Red Lodge, MT; five grandchildren, Noland Rone Deas III (fiancée Kelly Donoghue), Eleanor Lynn Deas, James Benjamin Hutchinson IV, Harold Emory Davis III, and Lynn Marie Davis; his brother, Milton Gary Deas (Debbie) of Dothan, AL; two sisters, Julia Dunagan and Elaine Jones, both of Coffeeville, AL; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Services to honor his memory will be held at 2:00PM on Friday September 13, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church Thomasville with Dr. Tim Filston officiating. His family will greet friends immediately following the service at the church. Interment will take place in Laurel Hill Cemetery prior to the service at 1:00PM.