I miss you Mr. Deagan! You are the reason I became a band director. I wanted to be like you. You were the best, the master. You always believed in me and helped me every step. I loved you  and respected you. We all loved you. Thank you for the way you never compromised your standards. May God Bless all of our memories of you.              Jim weese 1965

I missed Mr. Deagon's passing but will never, ever forget his inspiring and sometimes ferocious leadership of the Shades Valley HS band. He steered me to become a lifetime musician, an amateur, but a steadfast believer in the the powers of music to heal, teach and relax. So long, great man of music!


Dear Jane and family -- I am so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Deagon and I not only shared a long good working relationship but we were also  friends. During our busy work day schedule he not only found time to hear me brag on my children and family members but we also found time for him to enthusiastically talk about you all and his trains. We will all miss him.
--Gwen Ayers Mason

Sorry to learn of Larry's passing.  I recall many pleasant conversations with him at various model railroad conventions during the past 35 years.

He scared me to death in band at first but became a great friend and mentor.  My favorite memory was playing the Saint-Seans pice he arranged for band and organ.  Made a lasting impact on me for sure.

A GREAT person and educator. I can only echo the sentiments of those before me. As a member of the SVHS band from 1965-68 and Drum Major my senior year Mr Deagon knew how to draw the best from all of us. His occasional "tantrums" could scare the heck out of us. It can truthfully be said he had a positive influence on everyone he came in contact with. Would think of him often and will continue to do so. So many good times and lessons of life. He was THE BEST.

I met Larry when I was a kid and he was a leader in the SE Region of the Model Railroad Assoc.  Larry kept this roudy crew in line and was a great voice of reason.  He was a great modeler and hard worker and ascended the ranks to achieve the designation of a Master Model Railroad.  He was #182 world wide (http://www.nmra.org/master-model-railroaders-region#SER).  He became less active regionally in recent years.  He was a great member and very helpful as a mentor in my early years.  He and Jane were always present at meetings in those years and kept the others in his crowd, the Wrecking Crew, from living up to their name.  The passing of a great man...

What I remember and regard as Mr. Deagon's most teachable moment was during an early fall band practice in the front parking lot before school when a vehicle displaying a confederate flag came roaring by with the passengers shouting "rebel yells" as the band practiced for a halftime show. Larry Deagon's intuitive response was to raise his hands and direct us in "Star Spangled Banner." The next year, the first black students enrolled at SVHS. 
We were blessed and our lives immeasurably enriched by this man not only through music. He modeled lofty ideals as well as tiny trains. 
"Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord; even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors."

Sad to hear you are gone Mr. Deagon. You touched many a young person's lives at Shades Valley whether in band or as part of Show Case. From the time my brother Sidney Keywood was in the band I knew I also wanted to be a band member. Fortunately Mr. Deagon was more than happy to take string  players into his fold since there was no orchestra during those years.Those years are full of wonderful memories and hard work - marching band rehearsals in the fall and sectionals at !7am! for concert band, for instance! Even when Sidney was in the band it was common knowledge that Mr. Deagon was working on a band arrangement of Saint-Saens Organ Symphony. I was blessed to be a member of the band when it finally was ready for performance! Once at All State competition (although there were problems with the organ...) and then again at our final concert of the year in 1966.
I had many a musical mentor along my way to become a professional musician, but Mr. Deagon gave me every reason to pursue this career! Ade, Larry!

I was in the Shades Valley High School Band under Mr. Deagon from September 1962 through May 1965.  During this time, I think we were one of the best concert bands in the state - Superior ratings at State Band Contest all three years.  I learned a lot about music and life during this time. RIP - Larry Deagon

Mr. Deagon was a great man who cast a very large shadow of positive influence on those students who were lucky enough to know him. I was not in music or band, but I knew him from "around school" and loved how he taught band and mentored musicians, many of whom were my fellow classmates. The world is just a beat slower without his grace in it.

I had the pleaseure of meeting Mr Deagon and his wife Jane on several occasions as part of a group that came over to help work on his model railroad. Larry is without a doubt one of the finest model builders I have ever seen or met. Many of the models he had on his railroad or in his display case would absolutely leave you awestruck at the level of craftsmanship. The model railroading community in the Birmingham area and the Southeast has certainly lost one of the greats.

Not seeing my post gonna repost. Mr. Deagon was my mentor and told me to go for it as a female in 1966 to go to college to be a band director. He always believed in me.

Mr Deagon was a fine musician and patient teacher. He will always be remembered as a man of great integrity always giving to his community the sounds of music from Birmingham, Hoover, Leeds, Irondale, Homewood and anywhere the band could play.  You will be missed, kind sir.  Never let the music end.

He was my love and mentor as a band director at Shades Valley from 1963 to 1966. When I told him I wanted to be a band director and major in music he told me go for it! Not many women were band directors at that time.  I always was in awe of his kindness and mentoring.  So I did what he said and got my degree in Music Education.  Years later I had the opportunity to meet with him when he was serving as Supervisor of Bands in Jefferson County.  He was so proud of my accomplishments, but had it not been for him I would not have pursued my Music career.  He was the love of my life in my music career.  I also remember when he took me to the Birmingham Symphony concerts when he was playing, and was so impressed.  I also babysat for Arthur and his daughter on many occasions while he and Jane went to the concerts when he was performing.  Once in a lifetime someone like him comes along.  I will miss you and condolences to Jane and the children.

I first met Larry in 1990 at the SER Convention. He was a mentor in model railroading and I always enjoyed his smile and gentle conversation. The Birmingham and Southeastern Region of the NMRA will miss him. May all his signals be green as he rides the railways of heaven.

I remember Mr. Deagon fondly as a man of unwavering character and uncompromising musical standards. Our musical community was enhanced for his presence in it. Arthur and family, please know how much we thought of him. Your loss is a loss for all of us.

As one of Larry's students, and an oboist in his Shades Valley band from 1962-1965, I will never forget Mr. Deagon. He was a great teacher, a fine musician, and a wonderful human being.  My deep condolences to the family.

Larry Deagon was a mentor, colleague, and friend. He hired me for my first teaching position and was always part of my preparing my bands for competitions or concerts. Thank you Mr.Larry Deagon and God Bless.

Larry was a special man and will be missed by us all.  Following him at Shades Valley was the greatest learning experience of my life with him as my mentor and friend...love and deepest condolences.

Arthur, we are sorry for your loss.  Your father sounds like a multi-talented and fascinating gentleman and I'm sure your family will miss him.  Prayers for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Sharon and Greg Thomas, Fellowship class

Mr. Deagon was a legend in Instrumental music in the Jefferson County County School System.  He was a strong supporter of The Arts and will be greatly missed.

To Larry's family. Thank you for sharing Mr. Deagon with the band directors of this state. I tribute part of who I am to my association with him. Hundreds of my students have benefited from the knowledge that he shared with them and me.

As a member of Minor's band in the late 70's I not only had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Deagon in his role as District Band Supervisor, but also took private clarinet lessons from him for a short period.  A wonderful gentleman.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Thank you, Larry for your many gifts to Birmingham.

I didn't get to meet him until he directed the Birmingham Community Band. I can only say that I played for him and enjoyed the time. His directing helped me to be a better musician. I will miss him and Beverly and I extend our deepest condolences to the family.

OBITUARY

Larry Porter Deagon

August 11, 1924 – December 28, 2015

Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel

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