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.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
405 Peabody
Mountain View, AR  72560
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com