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Keston Deimling Obituary
October 6 1931 - July 12, 2013
Resident of Rancho Mirage, CA
Keston John Deimling, Jr. passed away on July 12, 2013 in Rancho Mirage, California. Kes was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 6, 1931 to Mr. and Mrs Keston John Deimling, Sr.
Kes was an exceptional athelete and competitor at an early age. At Oak Park IL H.S., he earned Illinois all-state basketball honors twice and won a pair of national singles tennis championships (USTA 1949 National Champion, Boys' Doubles and USTA 1950 Interscholastic Champion, Boys' 18 Singles.
At Duke University, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and lettered in both tennis and basketball. As Captain of the Duke Tennis team, he led the squad to an outstanding 14-4 record playing some of nation's biggest tennis powers. In 1952, the Blue Devils beat rival North Carolina to become the Southern Conference Tennis Champions. In 1953, along with Ralph Paris, he won the Southern Conference Doubles championships. On the Blue Devil basketball court, he played along side Dick Groat (1960 NL MVP) and Charles "Lefty" Driesel, who later served as head coach at the University of Maryland.
After graduation with a BA in Business Administration, Kes served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Airforce for two years. He then began his 30 plus years sales career with International Paper in Los Angeles. In 1969 he and his family relocated to San Jose, CA where he took a promotion with International Paper as the Western Region Sales Manager. He retired to Rancho Mirage Ca in 1999. He remained active in his retirement years, including being a nationally ranked 70+ tennis player. In his down time, He enjoyed cheering for his beloved Duke Blue Devil basketball team.
Throughout the years, Kes was an enthusiastic coach for his children and grandchildren's sports teams. He was always generous and never forgot a birthday or special occasion. He had a sense of humor like no other, and was quick to assign a witty (if not always politically correct) nickname to everyone he met. But most of all, "The Grande Gringo" was a gentle soul with a kind heart who will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Deimling; his son Jay (Lani) Deimling, of San Jose, CA; his daughters, Katherine Deimling (Sam) Chase of Atlanta, GA and Ann Deimling (Jonmark) Fabiano of Laguna Niguel, CA., his sister Alice (Michael) Cavanaugh of La Jolla, CA; five grandsons (Tyler Deimling, A.J. Deimling, Wesley Deimling, Jake Fabiano, Evan Fabiano) two nephews and four step children.
After a private memorial service, a reception will be held for family and close friends in Dana Point, CA on Saturday, August 3rd. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Keston John Deimling, Jr. to the Iron Dukes Varsity Club, Box 90542 Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0542, (919) 613-7575.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Keston Deimling
May 22, 2014
I have just learned of my old tennis partner, 'THE MOOSE'. We are so sorry. We know you will miss him. We know we will miss him. I know, I know, I have not been around these last couple of years. The only excuse I can make is 'old age', it catches up with most of us sooner or later. 'Moose' was an excellent partner, I could not wished for better. In all of the 40 odd years I knew him, I knew him to be humble, good hearted and funny/smart and funny/ha ha. As big as he was, he never pulled rank. He never used his 'bigness' to gain advantage. And on a number of occasions, in tennis matches,in tournaments, he could have done so. He saved 'my bacon' a number of times with his humble jokes and 'ready smile'. We won state tournaments and national matches, we were well ranked state and nationally, if he had a better partner he could have done a lot better, I could go on, write reams, but I wont. All I can say, I'm so sorry for you. He'll be missed. If there is anything we can do----???
Suzie made many, many years ago 'MOOSE' and 'RABBIT' Tee Shirts for our tournaments, guess who MOOSE called the 'RABBIT'.
I'll let the gang know.
Alan & Suzie
Mary Ann Deimling
March 13, 2014
I miss you so much! Everyday I miss you more ! I can't wait to see you again. Love you my darling.
Margie and Ron Shaw
August 6, 2013
Mary Ann,
Love and prayers to you on the loss of Kes. Though we never had a chance to meet him, from what we heard from your mom, he was a "good guy".
August 2, 2013
Dear Mary Ann
So sorry to hear about Kes passing. You were his angel and stood by him in his time of need. God bless you.
Ron Goodno
July 30, 2013
Dear Mary Ann: Brian and I are so sad to hear Kes passed. He was a real sweet and special man and it was always nice to hang out at the pool with at Rancho Los Palmas with Kes. He always made us laugh and enjoy his views of the world and what it had become, loved his way of thinking!! We miss everyone there in Rancho Mirage so much!! Big hugs to you and Kes children and grand-children. Also so you know you made Kes very happy. We knew him before you came about but he always told us how lucky he was to have found you! Love and respect always Angie & Brian Bauknecht
Michelle Gilfillen
July 29, 2013
Mary Ann, I'm so sorry for your loss. your husband sounded like a great man and I'm sure he'll be missed by you and so many more. Be well my friend.
Jack Frost
July 29, 2013
I'm afraid that my comments are self-serving because they are mainly concerned with remembrances of my own past. Those of us who were fortunate enough to compete at Kalamazoo as tennis-playing youngsters developed a sense of cameraderie, and my first year "going East" from California Kes won the National Junior Doubles with Dick Moledous. He was there again the next year, and then I followed his career at Duke. Those of us from that generation are aging and passing, but the memories are very sweet. We send sympathies to his family.
Jack and Helenka Frost, Indian Wells
Susie Simon
July 28, 2013
Mary Ann - So very sorry. He was a "cool dude" with an unbelievable wit and sense of humor and we here at RLP will miss him lots. You and your family are in our prayers.
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