Robert Eugene Deal, age 76, passed away at the Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, FL on October 20, 2022 at 4:45pm with family by his side. He was born on June 5,1946 to Carl Deal and Marjorie Pauline Henry in Lima, OH. He graduated from Bath High School.
On September 7, 1972 he married Lenita Mellano at the US Embassy in the Philippines while serving as a Captain in the U.S. Navy (1969-1973) during the Vietnam war. Robert attended firefighting school, Assault Boat Coxswain School, and the National Training Center for seaman, Petty Officer 3&2 class, Boatswain Mate 3&2. He was also trained in minelayers as an E-4, E-5. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star.
He was a loving husband of 50 years, a father, grandfather and great grandfather. Robert is survived by his wife, Lenita; 2 sons: Richard and Rizalde “Steve” Mellano (wife Shannon); 5 grandchildren: Miles (Ruth Anne), Mason (Shelby), Mitchell (Cheyenne), Mamie (Bryce), Shyanne (fiancé Wyatt); and 4 great-grandchildren: Oliver, Felicity, Henry, Audrey; sister, Janice Henderson, as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son (Robert Deal, Jr.), his parents, brother (Jim), and sister (Phyllis).