Carlton Deal

Carlton Deal HICKORY Carlton O. "Buddy" Deal, formerly of Hickory, 88, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro. Born March 8, 1924, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Charles O. and Mattie Isenhour Deal. Buddy was a graduate of Hickory High and Lenoir Rhyne College. He worked in Summer Stock in Massachusetts on Cape Cod on a scholarship. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in South America. He was a founder and charter member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Hickory, and after moving to Greensboro, joined the First Lutheran Church. Buddy was in sales for Sears, and for 10 years was one of the top 10 salesmen in the U.S. He retired from Greensboro Merchants Association and was asked to return to work for them at age 83. Buddy was attributed as founder and was very active in the Hickory Little Theatre, now Hickory Community Theatre. On the 50th Anniversary of the theatre, he presented a large scrapbook containing 50 years of pictures, reviews and other memorabilia, which he donated to the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library. Another passion was jazz and he and his nephew, Charles Deal, went on many cruises and flights to attend jazz festivals. He was very outgoing and engaged in conversation with people wherever he went. As long as he was able, he returned to Hickory for every special occasion and was a member of the Thursday Night Dance Club. He had a noted talent for gardening, including tropical fruits and plants, orchids and the largest palm tree in the surrounding area. He also loved collecting antiques. Buddy was a very likable man with an exuberant personality and a huge zest for life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma "Nikki" Koch Deal; son, Carlton Jr.; daughter, Carla; and 12 brothers and sisters. Buddy is survived by a very devoted daughter, Cynthia D. D'Agostino, of Greensboro; three great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews, including Cha-rles H. Deal and Freddie Sigmon, of Hickory. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 21, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hickory Community Theatre. Online condolences may be left for the family at bass-smith funeralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Carlton "Buddy" Deal.