Joe Lil Joe Robert Deaton Jr.

"Lil" Joe was a loving husband, father, son and grandfather. He never met a stranger, was a friend to everyone he met, and always had a smile on his face. He was very devoted to his family. He enjoyed car racing and motorcycle racing. He was employed as a journeyman electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He served his country with the United States Army.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Deaton of Lufkin; son Michael Marler and fiance Cassandra Cates of Lufkin; son, Joe R. Deaton III and fiance Kelly Howell of Sacramento, CA; mother, Alice Deaton of Lufkin; sister and brother-in-law, Angie and Cecil Baker of Lufkin; sister, Lisa McCool of Ft. Worth; grandson, S. Ryan Deaton of Lufkin; granddaughter, Jada Greer of Lufkin; and a number of other family members and friends.

"Lil" Joe was preceded in death by his father, "Big" Joe Deaton; son, Michael Lynn Deaton; sister, Brenda Lee Deaton; and grandparents, Rev. Roscoe and Allie Lee Deaton and Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Turner, Sr.

Pallbearers will be Michael Marler, Joe Deaton III, Rex Lehman, Gary Lehman, Steve Lehman, Craig Smith, Cody Lovejoy and Colin McCool.

Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers and sisters of the IBEW.

Services for "Lil" Joe will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2011 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Bob Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Union Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home