Preston Crit Deaton

With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the Deaton, Webb, Cross, Schultz, and Collins families announce the passing of our courageous, caring, generous, and incredibly strong husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Preston Crit Deaton.

Preston went home to be with the Lord on December 26th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a four-year valiant and gracious battle with cancer. Even in the midst of his own tragedy, he remained strong and upbeat and was an encourager to his family and friends.

He was born on July 26th, 1958 in Middletown, Ohio. His family moved to Texas when he was two years old, so he considered himself a native Texan. He went to Eastland High School, and was on the Student Council and played football there. He then transferred to Abilene High School and completed his education there.

He was married to Lupe Ramirez Deaton, who he liked to refer to as “the wife of my youth”, for 46 years. They moved to Arlington in the 80’s and he went to work at LTV/Vought Aircraft, where he worked throughout the 80’s and 90’s. Throughout that time, the company went through several layoffs. He would be laid off, then recalled back. He eventually decided that he would rather go into business for himself, having worked for his father in his father’s paint contracting business throughout high school and summers. So, he started his own business and was able to land some long-term contracts, including USMD Hospital, which he was able to maintain until he got sick.

He loved fishing and spending time on his boat, swimming, camping, and gardening. But his most favorite thing to do was to spend time with his kids and grandkids. He loved to take them to do things and he loved just spending time with them at home. He got a great deal of joy just having them around and just working in the yard with him, or having them with help with whatever he was tinkering with in the garage.

He believed the greatest responsibility and accomplishment a man could do was to take care of his family, and he did so to the best of his ability. It brought him a great sense of satisfaction when he was able to pay off the family home with his LTV retirement.

He liked a simple life and simple things. He was upfront when he spoke and expected others to be the same. He still believed in using cash for everything, and would rarely use a credit card. He also did not like texting and preferred good old fashioned phone conversations. The family fondly referred to him as “old school”.

He also loved his church and he had a passion for the youth. He believed in building them up, and was a faithful supporter of the youth ministry. He also believed in missions and although he was not led to go, believed in sending and supporting the missions.

Preceded in death by his father Kenneth Jack Collins, mother Linnie Mae Collins, and step-son Richard Ian Ramirez.

Survivors include wife, Lupe Deaton, daughter and husband Amanda and Michael Webb, daughter and husband Kim and Ed Cross, son Keith Deaton, granddaughter Alyssa Cross, grandson and wife, Riley and Whitney Webb, grandson Ryan Webb, and grandson Joseph Allison Mitchum III (Trey) in addition to several nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren: Shevy Mitchum and Allison Mitchum; sister Pam Schultz and husband Jerry Schultz, sister Terri Collins, sister Sandra Collins, and brother Randy Collins and wife,Tanya Collins.

He will be greatly missed but he has left us with many precious memories which we will treasure until we see him again.