Granville Mitchell Deane Jr.

GRANVILLE MITCHELL DEANE, JR., age 76, died peacefully Friday, evening the 16th of May 2008. Granville was born in Dallas, Texas on the 22nd of November 1931, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Granville Mitchell Deane, Sr. They moved to Houston when he was two years old and after attending Lamar High School, he attended the University of Texas and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. After college he went to work with his father who headed Browning Ferris Machinery Company. In 1953 he married his beloved wife of 55 years, Holly Ann Montgomery, who devoted her entire life to Granville. Granville later became president of Browning Ferris Machinery Company and president of the Houston Equipment Association. In 1970 he became vice chairman of the board and the company's name was changed to Browning Ferris Industries. Under his leadership, Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1971. During his involvement with BFI, the company became one of the top two refuse companies in the United States. Granville retired in 1974 but remained active with the company until 1988. Granville was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he loved traveling the world with his family and friends. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and most of all his University of Texas Longhorns. He was a member of Lakeside Country Club, the Houston Club, Galveston Country Club, and Chapelwood Methodist Church. Granville was preceded in death by his parents; he is survived by his devoted wife Holly Montgomery Deane and his children, Rosanna Deane Blalock and husband Myron G. Blalock III, Chelle Deane Shutts and husband David Lee Shutts, and Granville Mitchell Deane III and wife Sissy, and his grandchildren, Myron Geer Blalock IV, Holly Collier Blalock, Granville Mitchell Deane IV, and Sam Lee Shutts, and his brother Thomas Joseph Deane and wife Diana and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jan and Fred Curry, along with his many nieces, nephews and cousins. The pallbearers are Myron Geer Blalock III of Houston, Myron Geer Blalock IV of Houston, Holly Collier Blalock of Houston, Sissy Holman Deane of Austin, Granville Mitchell Deane IV of Austin, David Lee Shutts of Houston, and Sam Lee Shutts of Houston. The family wants to extend its heartfelt appreciation for the compassionate care of St. Luke's Hospital and his devoted private caregivers. The memorial service will be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 20th of May, in the sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Drive in Houston with Dr. Kelly Williams officiating. A private graveside service will be conducted prior to the memorial service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be given to The National Ataxia Foundation at 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752, or to the charity of your choice.