Richard Wellington Deason

Richard Wellington 'Dick'? Deason, passed away December 2, 2010 in Johnson City. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, January 15, 1932, the oldest son of the late Ernest Plato and Cynthia Sellers Deason. He graduated from Ensley High School and Birmingham Southern College. He then served in the U. S. Army in South Korea from 1953 to 55, where he worked at Radio StationVagabond in Seoul with the American Forces Network. He married Mary Frances Carter in 1956 and spent his entire career in broadcasting, having worked at several stations in the Birmingham area.He was Executive Director of the Alabama Broadcasters Association for several years in the 1970s, and taught broadcasting at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he received his Masters degree in broadcasting. He retired from WBHM public radio at UAB in 1996, after which he worked for the Birmingham Music Club.Dick was a longtime member and past president of the Birmingham Civitan Club. He was active in local theater in Birmingham for many years, and in later years was a member of the Seasoned Performers and the Seasoned Readers.Dick and Fran moved to Johnson City, Tennessee in 2007 to be close to their daughter, Andi, who teaches at East Tennessee State University.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by, a daughter, Anna Chapman and a brother, Bill Deason.He is survived by: his wife, Mary Frances Deason of the home; one daughter, Andrea 'Andi'? Clements and five grandchildren, all of Johnson City; a brother, Dr. Mel Deason and two sisters, Jane Bryant and Cindy Sfakianos, all of Birmingham, AL.A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Mt. Home National Cemetary at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Morris-Baker Funeral Home to leave in procession by 1:30 p.m. The service will be under the direction of Dr. Mel Deason.