John P. Deakins

John P. Deakins, born in rural, poor, coal mining Appalachia at his grandfather's farm house. When he was 4 years old, his father grew tired of coal mining and moved the family to Valdosta, Ga. John grew up in Valdosta, attended St. John the Evangelist Parochial School and was graduated from Valdosta High School in the class of 1958. While in school, John was active in the Scouting movement and lettered in the Valdosta High School Band. Governor Melvin Thompson and Gov. Herman Talmadge recommended John for an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Due to medical reasons, John was not accepted. Finishing high school prior to his 18th birthday, John persuaded his parents to sign for him to enter the US Navy.
John was honorably discharged from the US Navy and started a new life with his bride, the former Beverley Dukes. They made their home in Jacksonville where John entered into the Funeral Business as an apprentice embalmer and ambulance driver.
John and Beverley along with their daughter, Jenifer, moved to Dallas, Texas, to enter the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation with Honors, John, Beverley, and Jenifer returned to Jacksonville until John received his Funeral Directors and Embalmers License.
John, Beverley, and Jenifer then moved to West Palm Beach where John Matthew "Matt" Deakins was born. The Deakins family eventually became owner/partner in Boynton Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, Florida. John also started a consulting company, John P. Deakins & Associated, Inc., and worked with several clients in Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas Islands. Enjoying the consultative duties, John became a sales representative for Batesville Casket Company, traveling all over Florida. During his travels, John found a home in Dunnellon on the Rainbow River, which he and Beverley purchased in 1984.
John was Past President of the Lauderdale by the Sea Lions Club, Past President of the Rainbow River Conservation, Past President of Dunnellon Historical Society, a member of Rainbow River Advisory Board for Marion County. Governor Bob Martinez appointed John to the Withlacoochee Basin Board, a part of SWFWMD. John served two terms as President of the Christian Funeral Directors Assn. He also served as Master of Dunnellon Lodge No. 1356 F&AM in 1996, and was District Deputy Grand Master of the 15th Masonic District in 2000. He was a member and officer of the Knights of Columbus Council #8510. John was Knighted a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, in the fall of 2004. John was a member of Ocala York Rite Bodies, the AMD, and was Knighted by the Royal Order of Scotland in 2004, being a Civil War history buff, and by his Great Grandfather's lineage (Major George S. Deakins), John was also a member of the Col. John Marshal Martin Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In 2000, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed John to the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers for Florida, where he served five years and 10 months. John served as campaign manager for State Rep. Dennis Baxley in Rep. Baxley's first and second successful election campaigns.
Many times John expressed his undying love and devotion to Beverley, and that he was most proud of her for stand-ing by him and supporting him in all his endeavors. John was also pleased for the minor role he played in his Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, as Eucharistic Minister, Minister to the Sick, and ad hoc member of the Finance Committee.
In his spare time, John enjoyed Classical Music, Bluegrass music, Dixieland Jazz, growing orchids, hunting upland birds, fly fishing with Beverley, and fishing for Reds with his son Matt. Civil War history and collecting Civil War items was also a pastime endeavor.
Survivors include his wife Beverley, daughter Jenifer Boscarino, son J. Matthew "Matt" Deakins, his mother-in-law Doris P. Dukes, three grandchildren, his dog Aggie, dear friends Jack and Marilyn Dennis and Tom and Sharon Packer.
Friends may call at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Following Mass at 11:00 a.m., burial will take place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.