Robert ("Bob") Rolland Deison

Robert ("Bob") Rolland Deison died at his home in Tallahassee, Florida, on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, surrounded by family. Bob was born in 1938, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and was orphaned at an early age. His mother, Lois Skidmore Deison died when he was three years old, and his father, Charles Lewis Deison died when he was five years old. He and his late brothers, Charles Lewis Deison, Jr. and James Deison were raised by their late and beloved "Aunt Catherine" Warner and "Uncle Robert" Warner. Following graduation from high school in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1957, Bob attended the University of West Virginia, graduating in 1961, with a B. A. in Business. While attending the university, he worked and paid his way through college with a number of jobs and enterprises. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity. Following his graduation, he served in active military duty with the US Army for a six-month period. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Bob worked for the Hartford Insurance Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1963, at which time he moved to Tallahassee. Bob was a noted and accomplished banker, developer and businessman who was instrumental in a number of successful and significant projects in Tallahassee and the North Florida area. He was an intuitive entrepreneur and a man of imagination and vision. Bob commenced his Tallahassee business career as an agent with the Rogers Atkins Insurance Company, which in 1964, became Rogers, Atkins and Deison Insurance Agency. In 1974, Bob used his business talents in forming investment groups for the purpose of purchasing apartment complexes. In 1975, he formed Deison and Associates, Inc, through which he conducted investment and insurance business. In 1982, Bob formed Regional Investment Fund, Ltd. and served as its General Partner. Under his leadership, the partnership acquired among its assets, Andrew Jackson Savings and Loan Association, which was ultimately sold to SunTrust Bank. Regional then purchased and commenced operation of First South Bank, which ultimately was sold to BB&T. As a result of his banking experience and highly regarded business acumen, Bob had the honor of serving as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Through his investment entities, Bob was active in the development of a number of successful residential subdivisions in Tallahassee and other areas of Florida, including Rosehill, The Plantation at St. George Island, Bobbin Mill and Bobbin Brook. Bob was active in the business, civic and social life of Tallahassee, including serving on the Board of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and as a founding Director of the Governors Club. He was a member of the Cotillion Club and the Colonels Club. Bob is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, Peyton Fearington Deison, his daughter Margaret Lee Deison and his son Thomas Hunt Deison (Allison), and their mother Gloria Hunt Deison; his grandchildren Hunt, Oakley and Mae Deison; step-son Paul Mercer Fearington Jr. (Lindsey); his step-grandchildren Caroline, Peyton and Brylee Fearington; step-daughter Elizabeth Fearington; and his step-grandchildren Hannah and Cannon Diehl. Bob is also survived by his cousins of his beloved Warner family - Boyd Warner (Jeanne), Roberta Warner Wilfong (J.B.), and Karen Warner Feight (Terry). Special thanks to Linda Campbell, Bob’s long time friend and associate of 40 years; Kenneth Leland his long time friend and employee; Brian Delaney and Visiting Angels Christine Frazer, Natou Deen, Esmine McCormick, Dorothy Smith, Bertha Hall, Kanton Enzor and Antonio Ivey, and Big Bend Hospice. The funeral service for Bob will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 120 West Park Avenue, in Tallahassee, Florida, with interment immediately following at Roselawn Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Deison home following the service. Memorial contributions to Bob's memory may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32308, Visiting Angels, 2344 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or to a charity of your choice. Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850/385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Deison family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Robert ("Bob") Rolland Deison

December 28, 1938 - January 2, 2018