John Wayne Deggs

John Wayne Deggs was born on the morning of February 9, 1954, in Woodville, Texas. He took his last breath on the evening of December 3, 2023, in Beaumont, Texas. He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Dominy Deggs Taylor, his father, William Odell Deggs, his step-father, Edward O. Taylor, and his sister Velma Odessa Best. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Laura Worthy Deggs; his three children, Dana Erin Howard and partner Benny K. Bryan, Allison Costa and husband Joshua, and Thomas Wesley Deggs and wife Courtney, all of Groves, Texas;  He was very proud of his seven grandchildren, Lucas Wayne Howard and Amber Howard Savoie and husband Alex; April Michelle Ross and fiancé Pvt. Roy Stanley USMC, Alyssa Marie Sawyer, and Amelia Mihali Sawyer; Evie Irene Deggs and William Wesley Deggs II. He is also survived by his sister, Wanda Jean Clark of Bryan, Texas; her two step-sisters, Wanda Taylor Alsbrooks and husband Ron of Kingwood, Texas, Jeanetta Taylor Whitehead and husband L.C. of Huntington, Texas. He was also loved by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John, or Wayne, depending on which side of the family you were on, loved anything and everything outdoors. He was that little boy who was always out exploring the woods, hunting and fishing until the sun went down. He continued that love of the outdoors and went to Stephen F. Austin University where he majored in Forestry and Agricultural Education, with a minor in Wildlife Biology. It was in college that he met the love of his life, Laura. They met at a square-dancing class in January of 1976. He knew the moment he saw her that she was the girl he was going to marry, which they did, in June of that same year. The couple built a family with the births of their children, Dana, Allison, and Wesley.

He had varied interests and that led to many different careers. He started as an Ag teacher and joined the U.S. Army in 1981 and was enlisted for 8 years. He was a member of the 7th Cavalry and later the OH-58 Kiowa Regiment as a helicopter mechanic, and later was promoted to Crew Chief. After his military service, he was a draftsman/ piping designer, a livestock inspector, a prison guard, a pipefitter and worked in security.

In addition to hunting and fishing, one of his favorite hobbies was genealogical research. He was also extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He served as Assistant Scoutmaster for BSA troops 39 and 232. His son Wesley achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and his grandson Lucas proudly carried on the Scouting tradition. He could often be found in the audience of a play or in the stands at a football game, watching his children play ball and march in the band. He is sorely missed, and greatly loved by many.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you;

The Lord turn His face toward you

And give you peace,”

-- Numbers 6:24-26

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Service to honor John's life will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 7, 2023 at First Christian Church in Port Arthur with Military Honors to follow. Graveside service and burial will be at 2:30 PM Thursday in Colmesneil Cemetery in Colmesneil, Texas.