Charles Kenneth "Charlie" Deaton, age 63, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 14, 2021.

Charlie was born March 8, 1957 to Earl and Flora Ruth Ann Francis Deaton in Hazard, Kentucky.  He was a long-time resident of Macy, Indiana and a graduate of the Class of 1976 at North Miami High School in the town of Denver, Indiana.  He dedicated his high school years to dressing up as the warrior mascot following his true family blood lines of Cherokee and Blackfoot Indian.   After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as an electrical mechanic for the fight line on the aircraft carriers.  Retiring from the Navy after 18 year of service, he returned home and became an active member of the Macy, Indiana Fire Department, serving as both firefighter and first responder.  He worked as an electrical maintenance engineer and machinist throughout his remaining years and allowed his gypsy blood to lead him where it may.

Charlie lived in Defuniak Springs, Florida for the last 10 years where he built a network of friends, many of whom have become family.  He loved the Florida weather and loved living near the beach where he collected his daily treasures and shared them with his precious grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. The beautiful weather also gave Charlie the freedom to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle, a great joy in his life.  Charlie was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

He is survived by three children:  Teffeny Deaton of Marion, Indiana, Charles Deaton Jr. of Marion, Indiana, and Danyell (Josh) Chobot of Rome, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren:  Brianna, Connor, Cierra, Brooklyn, Braxton, Adrian, Abby, Erika, and Journey; three great-grandchildren:  Emowen, Evander, and Leela; siblings: Earl Deaton Jr. of Hazard, Kentucky, Lora Deaton (companion, Jim Golliher) of Peru, Indiana, Shari (Brian) Simonson of Rochester, Indiana, and William Earl Deaton of Macy, Indiana.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Earl and Flora Ruth Ann Francis Deaton; paternal grandparents, Willie and Armina Deaton; and maternal grandparents, Elhannon and Anna Francis.

A celebration of life service for Charles Deaton will be at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars # 1342 at 1703 Federal Drive of Rochester.