Gary Edward Deiters

Gary Edward Deiters, age 81, died peacefully in his sleep on July 12, 2015 at his home in Marietta, Georgia. Gary is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Van Deiters; his children Michael, Brian, Lori, Barry, and Daryl; his brother Richard Deiters; and his sisters Peggy Cashin and Karen Lindberg. He is preceded in death by his brothers Donald and David Deiters and sister Barbara Spera.

Gary was born on June 20, 1934 in Atlanta, Georgia to parents Augustus and Margaret Deiters. He graduated from Brown High School in 1952 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1957 with a Degree in Textile Engineering.

Gary began his career with the U.S. Army Reserves in Aberdeen, MD and accepted his first professional position at Chemstran Corporation in Pensacola, FL. In 1959 he moved back to Atlanta, GA where he accepted a position with Pioneer Heddle and Reed, Co. in East Point, GA where he worked more than 17 years.

Gary was a great family man, a loving father and a man of great faith. He married Martha in 1957 and they 5 had children together. As his kids were growing up, Gary hired several neighborhood boys to work at Pioneer on a part time basis, providing them with their very first job.

Gary enjoyed college football, college basketball, and professional baseball. Gary loved Georgia Tech and wanted to attend the school at an early age. As a child, Gary often slept wearing his Georgia Tech “rat cap”.

Gary was a tremendous fan of Georgia Tech sports. In November 1975, the Atlanta Journal Constitution interviewed Gary and published a full page article highlighting Gary’s love of Georgia Tech along with a competing Georgia Bulldog fan. As Mr. “Yellow Jacket” Gary was often quoted as saying he wanted to be buried at Grant Field when he passed.

His family and friends will always remember him as a man with a sharp mind, detailed oriented, witty, and someone with an incredible sense of humor.

A viewing will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Funeral Home, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30068, Thursday July 16, 2015 from 6-8pm. A funeral mass is scheduled for Gary at Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 11am with a reception to follow at the church. Monsignor Edward J. Dillon from Holy Spirit Catholic Church will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gary’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, 760 Pollard Blvd, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30315 (404-688-9515).