Alex B. Deas Sr.

Alex Burchell “A.B.” Deas Sr., 81, husband of 62 years of Virginia Clark Deas, died Sept. 20, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Thomas Evander Deas and the late Nancy Burchell Richardson Deas.

Deas was a lifelong member of Grace Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran serving in Germany and was also a Korean War veteran. He was employed by Kneece Tractor & Truck Co. as parts manager for 30 years and was later employed by Interstate Tractor Co. in Bishopville for 23 years as sales manager. He was a member of the Lions Club.

He served his country during World War II under the leadership of Gen. Patton and also proud of his service in the Korean War.

Surviving are his wife of Sumter; two daughters, Virginia Deas Briggs and husband, Hartwell, of Manning, and Sheila Deas Richardson and husband, Scott, of Sumter; a son, William C. “Bill” Deas and wife, Terris, of Columbia; a sister, Emily Deas Rhoden of Columbia; grandchildren, Alex Margaret Richardson, Robert Wells Richardson III, Elizabeth Goff and husband, Judd, Joseph Briggs and wife, Meredith, Jessica and Jordan Cunningham, Ethan and Caroline Johnson; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Alex Burchell Deas Jr., in 1949; a sister, Nancy Deas Player; and a brother, Thomas Evander Deas Jr.

Funeral services were Monday in the chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. James Chandler officiating. Burial was in the Sumter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.