DANNY DEAKINS

Danny Deakins, 71, of Garrettsville, OH, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025. He was born September 9, 1953, in Chardon, OH, to Harry E. and Florence R. (Frank) Deakins.  

He was raised in Huntsburg, OH, and was a proud 1971 graduate of Cardinal High School in Middlefield, OH, where he played football, wrestled, and was a member of the pep band. After high school, Danny was a former owner of the BP gas station in Parkman, OH, former owner of Star Cycle and Hardware, also in Parkman, and a former member of the Parkman Chamber of Commerce. He retired from James A. Garfield Schools as a school bus driver, in August, 2024. Danny was a member of the Freemasons Western Phoenix Lodge No. 42 in Parkman since 1987, and a 23-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2705 in Garrettsville. Danny enjoyed music immensely. He was a member of many bands, including The Starlighters, Sidetracked, The Boys Are Back, and The Usual Suspects. Danny’s early musical career began with an accordion. He could also play piano/keyboard, saxophone, and, while in The Boys Are Back, bass guitar. Danny was an avid sports fan, and the Cleveland Browns were his favorite team, even when they let him down. He enjoyed watching Ohio State football, Cleveland Indians baseball, and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. Danny also bowled, and loved being at the lanes during the youth leagues, helping the younger generations fine-tune their bowling game. He touched and enriched the lives of everyone he came into contact with – he didn’t know any strangers. 

Danny will be forever missed by his wife, Melissa (Foy) Deakins; mother, Florence Deakins; brothers, Harry (Kay) and Rick (Kathy) Deakins; sister, Carolann (Dean); sons, Gary (Simone) and Jeremy (Amanda) Lee; daughter, Denise (Nate) Larke; grandchildren, Brittany (Cole) Peters, Walker Lee, Makenzie (Tristan) Freshly, Linsey (Liam Baxter) Lee, Ashton, Nathan, Samantha, and Grayson Lee, Jonathan and Ryan Larke; great-grandchildren, Finnegan and Juniper Peters, and Graham Freshly, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many, many friends. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Deakins, wife, Edna (Breitenbach Lee) Deakins, and grandson, Brandon Lee. 

Please join the family for a visitation Friday, February 21, 2025, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, OH 44231. Cremation will take place following visitation. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the James A. Garfield Athletic Boosters, 10233 State Route 88, Garrettsville, OH, in Danny’s name, to honor his memory and love of sports.