If the saying – to be rich in friends is to be poor in nothing is true – then Donald ‘Bo’ Deaton is a very wealthy man.
About 250 people attended Appreciation Day for ‘Bo’ at Malesus Baptist Church, Thursday, to honor a high school football official, high school basketball referee and a soon to be member of the Tennessee State Senior Olympics Hall of Fame.
Public officials – state representative Jimmy Eldridge and Jimmy Harris, mayor of Madison County – delivered proclamations which stated ‘Bo’ Deaton Day, and Jackson City Councilman Charles ‘Pepper’ Bray presented ‘Bo’ with a Key to the City.
Scholarship money totaling $6,400 was raised, and one male and female basketball player at Union University will be the benefactors with each receiving $3,200.
“This is certainly an honor,” Bo said. “I’m just overwhelmed (but) I didn’t think it’s necessary, and I still don’t think it’s necessary, but I’m glad to be a part of it. I appreciate what everybody has done. I know somebody has done a lot of work putting this all together and I feel very humble.”
Tom Mapes, the Public Information Officer at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, was one of 24 people who put the evening together.
“We worked on the event for two months, and this planning team did a great job,” Mapes said. “We go way back … I came to Jackson in 1964 and I remember Bo as a great basketball official – he was tremendous. When he got older, he went into senior softball and tennis, and then he went into the Senior Olympics, and he’s going to be inducted into the Tennessee State Senior Olympic Hall of Fame June 25. We wanted to do something quick before that happened.
“He is just a giving individual – and it was time to give back.”
It was also time for a little fun, and 13 speakers were on the program to ‘Roast & Toast,’ Bo.
One of the speakers, Tommy Dean, who is best known as the head volleyball coach at South Side High School, displayed another talent when we delivered a poem he had written for the occasion.
Tonight we come to Toast and Roast a very special man
A friend to all, one always glad to lend a helping hand
A man that seems to make friends wherever he may go
With a special God given gift, a man simply known as Bo
Tonight we’ll hear from many that really know him well
Stories that up until now, some actually scared to tell
So sit back and get ready to hear tales from Bo’s past
Memories that even after tonight will forever last
You be the judge as to decide what is true or a lie
Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry
Stories that you can pass on wherever you may go
Stories about our special friend we know as Bo
And when this night of good times is finally through
Each will feel thankful for hearing about a man they knew
And before we lie down tonight for a night of rest
Each will thank God for knowing Bo one of the vey best
Dean added, ” In conclusion Bo, we honor you and want you to know we are all blessed to be called a friend of Bo.”
(PHOTO: Bo Deaton and wife Gaye)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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