Thomas Kenton Deeds
Courtesy Deeds family

West Virginia Veterans Memorial

Remember...

Thomas Kenton Deeds
1949-1971

"It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."

George Washington, 1781

Thomas Kenton Deeds was born January 28, 1949, at Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia. His parents were Thomas Marvin Deeds and Rhoda Opal Eagle Deeds. His paternal grandparents were William De Russie and Nancy Milburn Hinton Deeds, and his maternal grandparents were Amos and Ersla Friend Eagle. Kenton, as he was known to his family, had a brother, Gary Marvin Deeds. He also had several half-siblings: De Russie Deeds, Algie Kyle Deeds, Wanda Mae Deeds Allred, Retha Gail Deeds Griffith, and twins Joe Alvis Deeds and Josephine Deeds. The twins died when they were very little.
Kenton with his parents. Courtesy of Deeds family.

Kenton with his parents. Courtesy of Deeds family.

Kenton's Hinton High School yearbook (<i>The Dart</i>) senior photo. Courtesy of Deeds family

Kenton's Hinton High School yearbook (The Dart) senior photo. Courtesy of Deeds family.
 		Kenton attended schools in Summers County and graduated from Hinton High School in 1966. Yearbook photos of Kenton show that he was highly involved in extracurricular activities; he's pictured with the Key Club and French Club, among others. After high school graduation, he attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, where he graduated in 1970. That year he married Saundra Bowling at the First Baptist Church in Shady Spring.
Kenton went on to enlist in the Navy. He had finished boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station and was to be transferred to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. However, he contracted meningitis, which ultimately led to his death. The Great Lakes Naval Station underwent measures to control the spread of the illness, such as eliminating some physical activities to limit contact and giving the recruits an extra hour of sleep. In all, there were about 14 cases reported during this period of time. Kenton succumbed to the illness only 12 hours after being diagnosed. His was the only death.

Kenton's remains were returned to Summers County, where he was buried at the W. D. R. (William De Russie) Deeds Cemetery in Jumping Branch.
Headstone for Thomas Kenton Deeds in W. D. R. Deeds Cemetery in Jumping Branch. Courtesy Deeds family. Additional photos are archived in his folder at the West Virginia State Archives.

Headstone for Thomas Kenton Deeds in W. D. R. Deeds Cemetery in Jumping Branch. Courtesy Deeds family. Additional photos are archived in his folder at the West Virginia State Archives.
Article prepared by Patricia Richards McClure, who gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Kenton's sister Retha Griffith and niece Sheila Day
April 2022

Honor...

Thomas Kenton Deeds

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