Carl William Deane

Carl William Deane, 84, of Big Canoe, Georgia, died peacefully on March 31, 2026. A vibrant, fun-loving personality, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, step-father, brother-in-law and friend.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on Aug. 20, 1941. He graduated in 1963 from the University of Kansas where he played guard on the Jayhawks basketball team and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Carl married Phyllis Shawver, his high school sweetheart, while in college and their marriage lasted 56 years until she died of cancer in 2015. They had two children.

Carl’s life entered a new chapter at the age of 75 when he married Carolyn (Gilmore) Cameron whose husband had died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. They spent nine loving years together in the hills above Big Canoe, Georgia, and in Lehi, Utah.

Following graduation Carl was a traveling salesman for L’Eggs, the women’s hosiery company. (When asked what he did for a living, Carl would invariably answer, “I’m in pantyhose.”) He went on to a distinguished career analyzing pension fund investments and money manager performance for A.G. Becker, SEI Corp., and Callan Associates before retiring in 2006.

An avid golfer, he played on courses around the country, the highlight being a round at Augusta National.

In addition to Carolyn, Carl is survived by his children, Chuck (Beth) Deane of Indianapolis, and Meg (Jimmy) DeVelvis of Dallas, Georgia; five grandchildren; a great-grandson; and Carolyn’s children and grandchildren.

Carl will be deeply missed and always remembered by those who had the good fortune to know him.

The family would also like to thank Appalachian Hospice & Palliative Care for their tremendous assistance and support, with special thanks to Robin Batkins.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, April 11, at 3PM at Big Canoe Chapel, 10455 Big Canoe, GA 30143. All are welcome to attend; the service will be available via livestream (check https://www.bigcanoechapel.org for link).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Big Canoe Chapel, Appalachian Hospice & Palliative Care or Friends of Smoke Signals