Roland Deaton

Roland Eugene Deaton Jr., 70, MBA, CPA, of Chattanooga, Tenn., slipped peacefully into eternity on Thursday, March 23, 2017, surrounded by his Kansas City family at Erlanger Hospital, after a 30-year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. After graduating from the University of Florida, Captain Deaton served his country as a USAF navigator during the Vietnam War. He spent much of his professional life in health care as a hospital administrator, health care consultant and medical practice administrator. He enjoyed volunteering in animal rescue for the SPCA of TN and Best Friends Animal Society. He was a runner, stamp and coin collector, cat enthusiast, and a member of Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Barbara. All survivors live in other cities: his daughter, Christine Rene Miller and grandsons, Alex and Stephen Miller; brother, Mark Deaton, and sisters, Susan Howard, Peggy Farnsworth, and Vicki Fessler, siblings’ spouses; eight nieces, one nephew, and their 12 children; one aunt, and four first cousins. Memorial contributions can be made to Best Friends Animal Society or National MS Society. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2017, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 106, Trenton, Ga. Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home, Trenton, Ga. Share your thoughts and memories at www.RyanFuneralHome.net.