Glenn “Lamar” Deaver, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Irwin County on Sunday, July 12th, surrounded by family.
He was born Glenn Lamar Turner on March 30th, 1938, to Luther Leroy Turner and Doris Morgan Turner. His mother passed away when he was 7, leaving him and 4 siblings to be raised by family. He was eventually adopted by his parents Ed and Armontine Deaver at age 18. He worked hard to care for himself for many years and had perfect attendance in school even though there was no one to tell him to go. He had many jobs growing up including cleaning up at a general store, as a gas station attendant, working in a shipyard and also as a lifeguard on St. Simons and Jekyll.
While he was gifted in both academics and sports, he was passionate about basketball. He graduated from Glynn Academy in Brunswick in 1956 where he was named to the All-Region Team. After high school, he worked and played ball for his company team in Brunswick for two years. During the summer of 1959, as he was trying to win a teddy bear for his girlfriend on the Boardwalk in Daytona Beach, he was spotted shooting hoops by Coach Glenn Wilkes from Stetson University. Coach Wilkes invited him to tryouts, but the weekend he showed up, Coach was absent due to a death in his family. Lamar wound up playing at Norman College in Norman Park, Ga. for a coach who had previously played for Wilkes himself. By his second year there, he averaged 18 rebounds per game, was named MVP on his team for the second year in a row, had made the All-State junior college team for the second season, and was picked for the All-Region (Georgia and Florida) junior college quintet both years. He was in the top 50 players in the nation in scoring.
After graduating from Norman College, he finally made it to Stetson in Deland, Florida. While there, he was named to the Florida Intercollegiate Conference All-Star team, was picked on the NAIA district All-Tourney team two years, and made Honorable Mention All-America honors in 1963. He led the team to the national tournament both years he was there. He also took the lead in scoring his senior year and in rebounding both years. He is one of 27 players in the school’s history with at least 500 career rebounds. At the end of his senior season, he was the only one-sport performer to ever be named “Most Outstanding Athlete” at Stetson University. He graduated with a degree in physical education with a minor in mathematics. After graduating college, his career began coaching middle school basketball in Warner Robins, Georgia. In 1965, he became Head Coach of the Warner Robins High School Demons. His team placed 2nd in Region and 3rd in state two years in a row. He was named Region 1-AAA Coach of the year in 1967. He was selected as head coach for the GHSA South All-Star team in 1968. That same year, he became the head basketball coach at Lanier High School in Macon. He later served as head coach at Northeast High School, also in Macon. He continued to have successful seasons leading both teams to compete in state championships. During this time, he himself played for an amateur team called the Macon Cats, and an adult team known as the Second Baptist Bombers. The last time he competitively played basketball, he was on the team that won the Gold in the Georgia Golden Olympics at age 65.
He soon transitioned from coaching into leadership. After graduating from UGA with a Master’s degree in Mathematics and his 6th year certificate in Education Administration, he went on to serve as Headmaster at several private schools in Georgia. Worth Academy in Sylvester, Pineland School in Moultrie, Ga., and finally Riverview Academy in Albany, became homes to his family for many years. The lives he touched while coaching, teaching, and serving as principal number in the thousands. He received a Distinguished Service award from the GISA for his time as Headmaster in private schools. Throughout his career in both public and private schools, he taught math and coached basketball, football, and track.
When he finally retired from what he called “the school business”, he became an insurance agent for Allstate. In 2007, He retired after 22 years with Allstate, having received several awards, trips and recognitions through the years. Lamar was always active in his community, serving as elected President for the Northwest Albany Exchange Club several times. He was instrumental in creating the Field of Flags Memorial at the Albany Mall after 9/11. He was raised a Master Mason in Macon Lodge 5 on 08/16/1971. He was Past Master of Masonic Lodge 741 in Albany, Ga.
He married Judy Adams at Big Creek Baptist church on August 26, 1961. They have been married 58 years. They retired to her family farm in 2007. They have enjoyed playing with and teaching their grandkids and great grands during their times of good health throughout the years. He is survived by his spouse and their three children, Glenn (Tammy) Deaver of Austin, Texas, Adam Deaver of West Point, Ga., and Tiffani (Kenneth) Cooper of Irwin County. As a grandfather he goes by many names, Gran-Gran, Buddy, Granddaddy, Groggy and Gaga. He has 3 grandsons, 8 granddaughters, and 4 great granddaughters. He has one living brother, Connie Austin Turner and several nieces and nephews he adored. Lamar was preceded in death by all of his parents, and siblings Ed Deaver, Jr., Roy Turner, Paulette Spence, and Terrell Turner.
His wife has planned a private service at Big Creek Baptist Church on Saturday due to current restrictions. Please visit the memorial page on Facebook called Remembering Lamar Deaver to read and share stories and pictures with his wife and family.