Harold O'Dell Deese, Jr.

Goose Creek, SC

          Mr. Harold O'Dell Deese, Jr., age 82, entered into rest on Sunday, April 21, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. He passed peacefully in his home. A visitation and service will be held Thursday April 25^th from 2-4 in the afternoon at Simplicity Funeral Home, 281 Unit C Treeland Dr, Ladson, SC.

          Mr. Deese will be laid to rest next to his wife, Mary Ann Deese, following a graveside service with military honors at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Ruby Cemetery, Ruby, South Carolina with Pastor Ronald Thurman officiating. The family will greet friends from 12:30 - 1:30 PM Sunday at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home prior to the procession to the cemetery.
 

          Born March 15, 1942 to Harold Odell Deese, Sr. and Myrtle Burgress Deese in Cabarrus County, NC. When he was about five years old his family moved a number of times over a three-year period finally putting down roots in Ruby, SC. While attending school he participated in basketball and baseball, Boy Scouts, Beta Club (Sophomore, Junior, & Senior years), Business Manager for the school yearbook and captain of the safety patrol. He was voted Best All Around, was an Honor Student and graduated in 1960. He was a member of Ruby Baptist Church. Continuing his education Mr Deese attended the University of South Carolina for two and a half years majoring in mechanical engineering. He was also a member of the NROTC and AFROTC.

          In 1964 he enlisted in the US Army National Guard assigned to Battery A, 3^rd Howitzer Battalion, 178^th Artillery Division based in Jefferson, SC. On June 18^th 1964 he began six months of US Army active duty with basic training at Fort Gordon, GA where he also served as a squad leader. In September he was transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he completed his Combat Engineering training. After finishing his active-duty commitment in December 1964 he returned home and to his job with the Seaboard Railroad as an Electrian’s Apprentice. Mr Deese continued to serve in the US Army National Guard and the US Army Reserves for thirty years. He was recognized and awarded for his service through his major assignments – Cannon Officer, Chemical Officer, Instructor and Training Manager. Upon his retirement he received an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Lt Colonel (LTC).

          On March 6^th 1965 Mr Deese married the former Patricia Evans Adams of Chesterfield, SC and they made their home in Cheraw, SC. Their son, Phillip Michael, was born in 1968. Following his graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1971 Mr Deese accepted a job at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and moved to North Charleston, SC. In 1998 he met MaryAnn Talley and they were married in 2000 making their home in Goose Creek, SC.

          Mr Deese was employed by the Naval Shipyard as a civilian nuclear engineer until the closing of the base and then as an environmental engineer at the Charleston Air Force Base from which he retired. During his tenure at the Charleston Air Force Base, he was recognized by President George Bush as part of the team that brought together Federal, State and private sector resources to remove concrete construction waste from the base and turn it into productive reef habitat for marine life. He was also a realtor with Carolina One and managed a number of self-owned properties. He enjoyed fishing and going out to eat with family.

          Mr Deese was predeased by his parents Harold, Sr and Myrtle Deese, his wife MaryAnn Deese, his son Phillip Michael Deese, infant twin sisters, his sister Gayle Pauline Deese, brother-in-law Billy Ronald (Ronnie) Privette and half-brother Harold Thomas (Tommie) Deese. His son Michael was a Deputy for the Dorchester County (SC) Sheriff’s Office. He and his K-9 Sonja were tragically killed, March 9^th 2007, in a line-of-duty (LODD) accident stopping an out-of-control vehicle from crossing the interstate median and colliding head-on with other vehicles. Mr Deese would travel to the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, FL each year for the police memorial weekend to honor his son and all the other Law Enforcement Officers lost.

          He is survived by his sister Dianne Privette of Simpsonville, SC, daughter Traci Ann Hamby of Goose Creek, SC, son Mark (Jill) McCoy of Canal Winchester, OH, grandchildren Caley Lydia Deese of Goose Creek, SC, Jenny Dudley of Fort Mill, SC, Alysha Currence of Savannah, GA, Dr James Austin Currence of Memphis, TN, Mary Rose Mullins of Savannah, GA, Bryan Mullins of Paris, OH, Alex McCoy of Canal Winchester, OH, Seth McCoy of Canal Winchester, OH, niece Rhonda (Philip) Dean with grand-nephews Ryan and Nathan of Simpsonville, SC, nephew Rodney (Emily) Privette with grand-nephews, Greyson and Brooks of Cheraw, SC.

         Flowers will be accepted, donations can be made to St Jude’s Hospital or Tunnels to Towers.