Obituaries

Cecil Edward Deal Jr

Cecil Edward Deal, Jr. made his appearance in this world on June 19, 1943, via his parents Cecil Edward Deal, Sr, and Rosella Mae (Dean) in the small coal mining town of Hepzibah, West Virginia. Traveling many places while his father served in the Army, the Deal family finally settled in St. Petersburg, Florida. Graduating from Boga Ciega High School in 1962, Cecil decided to expand his horizons by joining the army in the same year. It was during the early start of the Vietnam era, and as the only son of an only son, Cecil was sent to Germany for three years where he proudly served Uncle Sam before returning to the United States and finishing his time in the reserves ending in 1968. Once he completed his relationship with Uncle Sam, Cecil set off on another adventure. He began his higher education by enrolling in St Petersburg Jr. College. After an illustrious and remarkably interesting time there he was not done. He enrolled in the University of South Florida where he not only received his degree in Electronic Technology but became a rabid supporter and season ticket holder of the athletic program, especially the USF football team, from its inception in1997 through tickets already purchased for the 2024-25 season.

After graduation, Cecil went to work for GTE which later became part of Verizon, retiring with 30 years of service. On his life adventures, Cecil met the love of his life, Bianca while at St. Petersburg Jr. College. To say it was love at first sight was laughable, however after much begging, they tied the knot on April 21, 1967. The adventure became more fun as the family began to grow with the birth of first their daughter Christina and then their daughter Yvette. As the girls grew Cecil was incredibly involved in their lives with band, academics and cheerleading as he watched them grow and become beautiful women. He continued his active support and involvement with his grandchildren in coaching softball, football, soccer, baseball, and competitive cheerleading. 

Cecil was an avid reader, two of his favorite authors were Lee Child’s and Clive Cussler. He also was an obsessive collector of all things Coca-Cola, which resulted in an extensive collection of over 2,000 commemorative coke bottles. He took an active interest in Genealogy and was compiling an extensive history of the family while at the same time pursuing his interest in stamp collecting. He loved shopping at Estate sales, and thrift stores looking to add to his coke collection, stamp collection and music CD’s.

Cecil’s sense of community was instrumental in his decision to join Junior Chamber International, better known as Jaycees at that time. After joining, he helped charter the South Gulf Beach Jaycee chapter, where he was awarded Jaycee of the Year for 1975-1976. The next year 1976-77, as President of the Seminole Jaycees, he was recognized as and presented with the Henry Giessenbier, Jr. Award by the US Jaycees. It was during this time Cecil was also recognized and presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Community Service Award from GTE in 1977.

In 1978-1979 Cecil won the Keyman Award for the Seminole Jaycees, and the Seiji Horiuchi by the National US Jaycees and Orlando Chairman award for the Magic Carpet Ride National Conference. Last but not least US JCI National President Terryl Bechtal recognized Cecil as the Tommy Thompson US National Award recipient.

Cecil was never one to sit on his laurels. During 1982-83, while President of the Seminole Jaycees he received the Seminole Jaycee President Award. After aging out of the Jaycees, Cecil was given the honor of receiving his JCI International Senatorship #36627 in 1984 and followed that by becoming FLJCI Senate life member # 41 in 1986. During that same year FLJCI Senate President Ron Whitmore awarded Cecil the Fl. Senate Treasurer Award and he received the Editor for Region 7 Director Award for 1985-86.

Cecil, always the overachiever was elected as the 22nd President of the Florida JCI Senate for the 1991-92 year. The following year he received the Chairman of the Board award from then President Jay Edmondson. Cecil not only served proudly as a Florida JCI Senator but was also a proud member of the West Virginia JCI Senate for 42 years. He traveled extensively throughout the United States with his family as a Jaycee and later in the US and internationally as a JCI Senator with Bianca.

An active and contributing member of the Florida JCI Senate Foundation, in 2003, Cecil received their Bronze Award later moving up to the Silver than Gold level and was working toward their Diamond Award. He served as the founding secretary for the Florida JCI Senate Foundation for many years, then continued as a Trustee on the Foundation Board until his death.

 Much to his surprise Cecil received the Pioneer award from the Jaycees on Feb. 8, 2014. The award stands for one’s outstanding contributions to his community and the Jaycee organization.

Cecil leaves behind his devoted wife Bianca of 57 years. Two daughters Christina (Joseph Gloss) and Yvette (Fred Bricketto); grandchildren Crystal, Danielle, David, Corey, Jordann (John Della Monica, Jr.); three great grandchildren Addilynn, Johnny, and Jemma; two sisters Sherry Shaw and Teri Valente and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of Flowers please make donations to Wheelchairs for Kids Wheelchairs 4 Kids   or the Florida JCI Senate Foundation