Saturday morning December 17, 2022, James Franklin Deal (“Jimmy”) died after his battle with Esophageal and Bone Cancer at home. Jimmy was born in Monticello, Arkansas on July 25, 1950. He was raised in Vidalia, Louisiana, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. During his freshman year at college at Louisiana Tech University, he met the love of his life, Deborah Kay Willis (“Debbie”) at the A&W in Vidalia, Louisiana when coming home to visit for the summer. Debbie and Jimmy stayed in touch throughout their college years, but Jimmy then decided it was time to marry the love of his life. Debbie and Jimmy just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on February 12, 2022.
Jimmy and Debbie moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1973 where he began his career as a Regional Vice President for ITS, Intermodal Transportation Services, for over 30 years. In 1978, Jimmy and Debbie welcomed their daughter, Celeste Renee’ Deal. Finally, it was a family of three, and they lived in Metairie, Louisiana. Celeste was a Daddy‘s girl and they enjoyed special memories together over the years. Jimmy would spend his time at home working on the house, taking care of the lawn and garden, golfing, dining out with friends, and watching the LSU Tigers and Saints. In 1989, the family moved to Ormond Estates where they met lifelong friends and built a beautiful life together.
Jimmy is preceded by his parents, William Thomas and Mary Katherine Deal. Survived by his wife, Deborah Willis Deal and his daughter Celeste Deal Maunoir (Bradley Joseph Maunoir) and two grandchildren Cole and Eli Maunoir, and by his Brother, John Deal (Sarah Deal) of Yazoo City, MS., his Sister, Susan Deal Graves (Robert Graves) of Vidalia, Louisiana and by his Brother, David Deal of Bauxite, AR.
Services will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 12:00PM (noon) followed by a service at 2:00PM.
