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Note: From the Village VOICE, August 1994, Mayfair Village, 3340 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, KY 40502
I was delighted when this congenial gentleman agreed to an interview for our newsletter. When I arrived at his apartment, I was greeted with a warm and resounding "Aloha." There is something about that word that brings a smile to your face. No doubt, you've experienced the same feeling when he has greeted you. Have you guessed whom I'm talking about? None other than Mr. Powell Deacon, better known to all as "Deac", who arrived at Mayfair Village in 1993 after living 43 years in Hawaii.
It was a timely coincidence for his interview, for Deac had a table full of old photographs he had been going through. Each photograph he pointed out to me had a story to be told. I couldn't help but think what an interesting life this man has had and how much he seems to have enjoyed every minute of it. Perhaps that accounts for his looking years younger than his actual age of 87. I would have guessed him to be in his 70's.
Powell Deacon was born in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, the third oldest in a family of 2 boys and 2 girls. His father was a Methodist Minister, which required the family to move over 15 times, mostly in western Kentucky.
Powell received a degree in English from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Winchester, Ky., now located in Owensboro. He received his masters degree in Physical Education from the YMCA graduate school in Nashville, TN. It was at Kentucky Wesleyan that he was given the nickname of "Deac", which has been with him ever since. It seems that his older brother, who was also at Kentucky Wesleyan, confused their friends as to what to call these guys. Thus, they decided on "Big Deac" and "Little Deac." "It's an easy name to remember, in fact they even referred to my wife as 'Mrs. Deac' throughout my career."
Mrs. Deac was the former Hallie Royster from Henderson, KY. They met and courted at Kentucky Wesleyan. Hallie and Deac married in 1932 and shared 60 beautiful years together. They reared one daughter, Donna Kay who became a high school teacher, teaching in Hawaii and on the mainland.
Deac's career started as a Physical Education Director at the YMCA in Petersburg, Va. When the depression hit, he was out of work for a year and returned to Hardinsburg, Ky. to teach high school. He later accepted a position as Director of Physical Education with the Armed Services YMCA in Los Angeles, then on to Norfolk, VA. as a Director of PE. He later assumed the position of Director of the USO in Richmond, Va. and served 2 years on the national staff as area supervisor for Md., Va., and N.C. His career path then took him to Vallejo, Ca. where he served as Executive Director for 4 years before moving to Long Island, NY as Area Supervisor for the 20 units west of the Allegheny Moun6tains. His last promotion was to Honolulu as Executive Director of Armed Services YMCA, where he reported for duty in 1950 and served until his retirement in 1972.
In 1985, Hallie and Deac lost their only child to cancer. Then 7 years later, he lost his dear wife in 1992 to heart problems, leaving him not only alone in Hawaii, but also the last one in his family. It was then that Deac decided it was time to return to Kentucky to be closer to his two nephews, Jack and James Deacon, a niece and his brother's widow.
Always an active person in sports such as handball and tennis, Deac's main interest is now walking to keep active and in shape. He and his college roommate, Dr. Lyman Ginger, enjoy spending time together now that he has returned to Lexington.
Deac will be quick to tell you that he had no trouble warming up to service personnel and talking with people. "I've always enjoyed people and I believe peiople enjoyed working with me." I believe that sums up what the navy recruiter told him when Deac tried to enlist in World War II. "We don't want you in theNavy. You are a greater help and service to your country with the Armed Services YMCA than serving in the Navy." All I can say Mr. Deac is that your career and philosophy of "always lending a helping hand" proved him right. Thanks for sharing with us and "Aloha." Jerrie Moynihan
E. Powell, Jr. and Hallie Royster Deacon Residence Hall, Kentucky Wesleyan College
Named in 1994 for E. Powell, Jr. and Hallie Royster Deacon, alumni of kentucky Wesleyan College.
Everett Powell Deacon, Jr. came to Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1925 from Irvington, Kentucky, the son of a circuit-riding methodist minister. He was graduated in 1929 with a B.A. degree in English. Upon graduating, Mr. Deacon went on to Y.M.C.A. graduate school in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned the M.A. degree in 1931.
While attending Kentucky Wesleyan College, Mr. Deacon was active in many activities including baseball, football, basketball, Porphyrian, student government, Y.M.C.A., and Mystic 13 fraternity. He also served as president of his senior class.
Mr. Deacon went on to a long and distinguished career with the Y.M.C.A. with appointments in Virginia, California, New York, and Hawaii. He retired in 1972 as Executive Director of the Armed Services Y.M.C.A. in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Several other members of Mr. Deacon's family also graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College including his brother, James Murrell, class of 1927, and his sisters, Gladys Lucile, class of 1928, and Carolyn Elizabeth, class of 1932.
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