of Mountain View, AR
October 11, 1940 - February 2, 2022
Junior Lee Deatherage, 81, of Fifty Six, passed away February 2, 2022 at White River Medical Center in Batesville. He was born October 11, 1940 in Fifty Six to Jesse and Ruby Lancaster Deatherage and lived almost his entire life in Stone County.
As a young man, Junior Lee managed the Thriftway grocery store in Mountain View, he ran a sporting goods store, was a salesman for Frito-Lay for 17 years, and along with his wife Pat was for many years the proprietor of Cody's Restaurant in Fifty Six. He served for a time as the Stone County Veteran Services Officer, did a term on the Quorum Court, and was the longtime chairman of the Stone County Democratic Party. He was a faithful member of the Fifty Six Baptist Church where he was at various times the Sunday School superintendent, the songleader, a teacher, and where he also served as deacon for nearly fifty years.
He was also a passionate fisherman and for him there was no day better than one spent on the lake. In retirement he became an avid gardener and grew enough vegetables to feed a neighborhood. He was a devoted and kind husband to Pat for 57 years. He was a wise and supportive father to his children. And his later-in-life starring role was that of gentle and endearing ''Papa'' to his grandkids and to many others. He had friendships that stretched decades even as he continually made new friends. He was loved for his sense of humor and his stories, for his steadiness in a world of ups and downs, and for his inherent decency. He was a good man.
He is survived by his wife Pat Smith Deatherage; his son Todd and daughter-in-law Judi of Annandale, Virginia; his daughter Tanya and son-in-law Joey Thomas of Mountain View, and his grandchildren: Cody Thomas of Little Rock, Abby Haysom and her husband Tom of Stevenson, Maryland, Zach Deatherage of Arlington, Virginia, William Deatherage of Annandale, Virginia, and Anna Deatherage of Annandale, Virginia. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roger and Cheryl Smith of Edmond, Oklahoma, a great-niece Jennifer Rose and her family, and a host of other nieces and nephews, family members, and friends who each mourn his passing even as they celebrate his impact on their lives. He was preceded in death by his daughter Heather Jennifer Deatherage, and his sister Venita Deatherage Newcomb.
A visitation will be held at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home, 405 S. Peabody, Mountain View, on Saturday February 5 from 6-8pm Funeral services will be at 2:00pm on Sunday February 6 at the Fifty Six Baptist Church. Bro. Robb Arnold will officiate and pallbearers will be Dr. Kenny Wyatt, Dr. Jake Dobbins, Eddie Cowell, Cody Thomas, Zachary Deatherage, Wiliam Deatherage and Thomas Haysom. Honorary pallbearers will be Glen Lancaster, Fred Ward, Ronnie Risner, Rusty Larson, and Casen Cowell. Burial will be in the Fifty Six Cemetery alongside his parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and an infant daughter.
Junior Lee's death was from complications related to his exposure to the covid-19 virus so the family respectfully asks that those who attend the service wear masks to help insure that no other vulnerable people are unnecessarily exposed.
Donations may be made to the Fifty Six Baptist Church or to the Fifty Six Cemetery Fund c/o Ronnie and Marva Jean Anderson.
Another option availble to hear the service is on radio station 76.0 FM in the church parking lot.
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51 Condolence(s)
Rick Cartwright
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Junior Lee was one of the most caring, witty and humorous persons we have ever known and we honor his life.
Todd, we were so sorry to hear of his passing but please know that we will hold you and the family in our most sincere thoughts.
Rick and Lynette Cartwright
Jerry Jones
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Sorry for your loss!!!
Dawn Welch Branscum
Monday, February 7, 2022
Pat, Todd, Tanya and families,
We are so sorry to hear about Junior Lee's passing. I know you all are not blood kin to us; just kin by marriage, but you all are still family to us. We are praying for you all that God will wrap his comforting arms around you and hold you tight during your grief. I know all too well what it's like to lose a parent, but because of God's saving grace we will all be reunited again. I can just see him, Venita, TC, Jesse and Ruby and my parents and my Granny Celia all gathered around together talking and laughing. What a day that will be when our Jesus we shall see!
Prayers and love,
Dawn, Ronnie and Jacob Branscum
Carol R. Wade
Sunday, February 6, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with Junior's entire family during this difficult time. Junior always had a kind word and a smile to share every time I saw him. The county has lost another
of those special spirits that thought of others even as he faced trials of his own.
He will be missed.
Carol. R. Wade
Donald and Carol Cartwright
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Many memories from years past. We will be thinking of all the family.
Lance Hopper
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Sorry to hear about you all loss our prayers be with you all at this bad time
Lance & Lorene Hopper.
Carolyn Maxwell
Saturday, February 5, 2022
I'm so so sorry.,Ms Pat. Jr was a good man. He was the best boss and just an all around good man. I know this is a huge loss to you but also a huge loss for the community. Cause he played such a big part in the community. He was always kind and smiling soft spoken. I enjoyed ever memory I have of Jr.
I am truly sorry Ms Pat
Randy and Destiny Roth
Saturday, February 5, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all. ðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸
Tim and Quinn Lattig & family
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Our family met Lee & Pat through his son Todd and his family. We know how much Lee was loved and treasured by his family. Our hearts go out to Pat, his children, grandchildren and friends as they will miss this dear man who touched many people's lives through his own life and legacy. Lee ran the good race as witnessed by so many, may he rest in the arms of Jesus.
Nola Treat
Friday, February 4, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all the Family. Just remember all the wonderful Memories you all had together Pat.
Keith Allred
Friday, February 4, 2022
So sorry to hear about Junior's passing. He was a good man. A man of integrity. He hired me for my first job at Thriftway grocery store I worked for him four years. He was always fair and took care of his employees. I will be praying for Pat and family during this difficult time
J.K. Williams
Friday, February 4, 2022
This was a great man who always had a smile for everyone. He will be missed but never forgotten. Bless his family through this sad sad time.
I will always feel special just because I had the pleasure of knowing such a Great Man !!! God Bless You All.
Benny and LaVel Harris
Friday, February 4, 2022
Pat, we were so sorry to learn of Lee's Passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this difficult time.
Shirley Lancaster
Friday, February 4, 2022
Junior Lee was a great person and will be missed by many
Everett Redding
Friday, February 4, 2022
Will miss him at Sunday school and Church. A truly fine man and friend praying for the family. I am sure he is now with many friends and family. No more sickness and pain
Rowdy and Carrie Ross
Friday, February 4, 2022
So sorry for your loss. We are praying for your family.
Kevin and Ann Cartwright
Friday, February 4, 2022
So sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you all and praying for comfort during this time.
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Friday, February 4, 2022
Junior will be missed by many. We both counted him a friend
Genny Reece
Friday, February 4, 2022
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time..
Lisa Chaney
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Jr Lee's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I will always remember Jr Lee allowing me to come to the grocery store he managed and made me feel like I was in charge. Allowing me to stay the summer weeks at their home. Looking back, I'm not sure if he just loved Pat so much he'd do anything she wanted or if he just loved having kids around. Either way, I always looked forward to spending time with Jr Lee and Pat, heck I even loved Todd ... and then came Tanya and I had a blast playing with her.
Jr Lee would even laugh every time my mother would tell the story about her trying to put cool whip, from a can, on a cake and shooting Jr Lee between the eyes. He just acted like it was the first time he heard the story and laugh. Keep in mind he heard this story over and over and over.. but it didn't matter, he would just act like it was the first time. Not sure how he did it.
I always felt at home and not just someone visiting. Thanks to Jr Lee and Pat!
He didn't even kick me out when Todd was a pest and a couple of us but hot peppers in his apple pie. Didn't even say a word to us.
I've reach out to him on messenger just to check in to see how he and Pat were doing, I'll miss him.
May the wonderful times and memories o Jr Lee take over the loss as you celebrate him. God bless and keep you in his loving care.
Mazie Lee
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I have no words to express my sorry for the family. He was for sure a truly nice Christian man who Ronnie and I were so blessed to get to know and be with him in church services. My love to Pat and I pray for comfort and for the memories to outweigh the lonely hours ahead for you.
Takumi Nishiuchi
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Remembering Junior Lee in many church service together, also all the fishing story from him and S.W..
Prayers to all the families and friends.
Robert Ellis Turner
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Dwain and Janice Crymes
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Prayers for you all
Janice Brewer
Thursday, February 3, 2022
So sorry to hear this news. Junior was a good man & will be greatly missed throughout Stone County. When he had Cody’s Restaurant, he helped sponsor my Sunday morning radio program on KWOZ Radio. I always appreciated him for that. RIP Junior Lee. Prayers for the family.
Ronda Ivy
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Jr Lee was a special man who was always friendly. Everyone knew he loved God and his family. He will be missed by many. Prayers for all of his family. Gerald and Ronda
Annette Blackwell
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Jr. will be missed by all that knew him. Prayers for the family.
Laura Arrington
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Uncle Junior Lee, I will miss you so much but know we will meet again someday. You always made me feel special and you were always special to me. I loved your sense of humor. You were a genuinely good man, a wonderful husband to Aunt Pat, a great father and what everybody wants in a papa. I love you. Fly high.
Ronda Ivy
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Jr Lee was a special man. He was kind
Pat Brewer Mecum
Thursday, February 3, 2022
My family always made Cody’s our eating place of choice when we came home to mom and dad’s (Melvin and Retha Brewer) from our homes from afar. Always treated like friends. He and Pat touched many lives. God bless the family.
Joy & Ron Havens
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I am so sorry for this loss. He will be missed by so many people. He was such a good Christian brother-in-law. He is rejoicing with Jesus and we will see him again. Wish I could be there. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love to all,
Joy & Ron Havens
Mike & Cathy Sisk
Thursday, February 3, 2022
A great friend and a great guy!
Helen L Lochridge
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Pat and family, so very sorry for your loss. God will fill your hearts with precious memories of Lee. Love you my dear sweet friend.
Helen Lochridge
Ken and JoAnn Jones
Thursday, February 3, 2022
We are both so sorry to hear about Junior Lee and was a great friend and so kind to everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Kim Karrels
Thursday, February 3, 2022
The angels are rejoicing
Cheryl Higgins
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Tanya, Joey, Cody,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family during this difficult time.
My condolences to you all!
Regards,
Cheryl Higgins
Curtis &Marcina Lancaster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Junior Lee always had a smile and something to say. We will miss him.
Ronnie Gays
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Sorry to hear about the lost of Junior he was a good friend of mine when he worked for FritoLays and i was working for Ideal Bread
NANCY M STEELE
Thursday, February 3, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Jim and I had many meals with the gang at Cody's. The food was great and the family and staff always made you feel welcomed. Prayers for his family.
Janet (Fletcher) Rodgers
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I Always loved seeing Junior Lee and will miss his smiling face. Prayers for family during this time of loss.
SHIRLEY- EARL BARNES
Thursday, February 3, 2022
PRAYERS FOR THE DEATHERAGE FAMILY. WE THOUGH A LOT OF PAT AND JR. AND CONSIDER THE FAMILY OUR FRIENDS. GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY.
Mary Morrow
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I am sadden to hear about Mr. Junior Lee
He was a good man ,and will be missed by all.
R.I.P.
Donald Ragland
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Hate to hear this Pat.
Robin Havens
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Junior Lee was one of my most favorite uncles. He always made me feel welcome when I came to visit. I always enjoyed our conversations about our dogs since we both have Boxers. He will be greatly missed, heaven gained an amazing man.
Bobby Joe Sisk
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I have known Junior Lee many years and enjoyed the many conversations we were blessed to have at the Fifty Six restaurant. He always had time to pull up a chair and visit. He will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family at this time.
Patsy and Jimmy Treat
Thursday, February 3, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Many prayers for the entire family. Jr. Lee will be greatly missed.
Dar Stow
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Pat,
I pray for strength and comfort for you and your family through this difficult time. Been a long time since the OFC. God Bless. Dar
Cheryl smith
Thursday, February 3, 2022
I will miss my buddy , partner in crime with jokes , there just isn’t words to describe how much Junior Lee meant to all his family. He will be missed so much .
Ron Sterling
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Always enjoyed seeing and talking to Junior.
Mike and Peggy Harris
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with all Junior’s family and friends. We missed visiting with him at Cody’s before he retired and enjoyed seeing him at revivals at church.
Glenda Martin
Thursday, February 3, 2022
So sorry to hear about Junior Lee. Prayer's for the family. God bless you all.