Ralph Deakins

June 4, 1936 - December 29, 2020

Ralph Deakins (Dick), aged 84, was born in West Virginia and went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 29th, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. His last moments were shared with his family at his home in Lewis Center, Ohio. Dick graduated from high school with 17 classmates, completed his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering at West Virginia University and went on to work for Beech Aircraft Corporation in Columbus while pursuing a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Ohio State University. It was in Columbus, at their Church Young Singles Group, that he met the love of his life, Barbara Sagar, and they were married in 1960. Dick and Barb briefly moved to Beech headquarters in Wichita, Kansas with their two young children Judy and Mike. Dick and his family later returned to Columbus where he took a job with Rockwell International. During this time Dick and Barb were members of Maize Manor United Methodist Church and were very involved in many things including directing the youth group, and the Church's New Year's Eve outreach ministry. Dick also participated with Mike on the Dart Ball Team and coached the church youth basketball team. His work with Rockwell required a transfer to Thousand Oaks, California, where he retired at age 55 after 35 years with the company. Dick was involved with the development of many interesting historic airplanes in the course of his career but his real joy was the projects he worked on for his family and his church families at Immanuel Church in Thousand Oaks and Berlin Church in Lewis Center. He built houses with Habitat for Humanity in California, Washington, and Mississippi. Most everyone who knew Dick has a story about working on one or more building projects and his innovative solutions to challenges. Dick loved time spent with family and loved to travel with Barb and their friends. Dick loved the Lord Jesus and made every effort to live a life that matched his deeds with his faith in honor of his Savior. He found hope in the promise of eternal life through the saving Grace of God, who so loved the world that He gave his only Son, Christ Jesus, so that all who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven. Dick loved teaching an adult Sunday School class at Berlin Church. He had many dear friends and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Barb, his two children Judy and Mike, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, two nephews, and a niece. "Though we have grief now, we will see each other again and our hearts will rejoice, and no one will take our joy away from us." (John 16:22) The family wishes to thank the Ohio Health Home Care Team, Capital City Hospice, and the many friends who sent comforting letters, food, prayers, and love during Dick's battle with cancer. He loved and appreciated you all. Memorial services will be held at Berlin Church in Lewis Center on Saturday, January 9th starting with visitation at 9am, and a celebration of life at 11:00am. Graveside services will be held after the celebration of life. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/donate) in Dick's memory.