Byrd Franklin Deadrick Jr. 85 of Elizabethton, passed away on Friday, April 11 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Higgins Deaderick and Byrd Franklin Deaderick Sr. Byrd was a loving husband to two wonderful women, the late Loretta Carver Deadrick (married 42 years) and his loving wife of 21 years, Ellen Deadrick.

In addition to his wife, Byrd is survived by his daughters, Mary Deadrick Christian and Lorie Ann Deadrick Burleson, two grandchildren, Sabrina Burleson and Dakota Christian, one great-grandson Taylor Jones, two siblings, Tom Deaderick (Cathy) and Beverly Deaderick and three nephews, Tom Jr, Chris and Daniel Deaderick, and predeceased by one niece, Jennifer Cloyd. Also surviving is his stepdaughter Jannie Guinn (Steve), stepson Bobby Ollis (Kristy), step-grandchildren Margo Davenport (Robert), Monica Hamm (Darien), Megan Guinn (Chris), Dustin Ollis, Brittany Strange (Ryan), step-great grandchildren Paisley Davenport and Peyton Hamm.

Byrd served 10 years in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1967 and served at Guantanamo Bay Cuba during the Cuban Crisis and Vietnam. His civilian work life was spent as an appliance service technician for General Electric Company, and he had his own appliance service business.

The work that Byrd was most passionate about was working in the church. He was a faithful follower of his Lord Jesus and until his illness prevented it, he was at Zion Baptist Church, Elizabethton for every service where he taught Sunday School and was leader of the Prayer Room. He was also a teacher at Hale Ministries. Previously served as youth director at Johnson City Baptist Temple Church and a Deacon. At Victory Baptist Church, he was an adult Sunday school teacher and Deacon. He recently said he had led over 100 souls to the Lord--mostly young people.

A Service to Celebrate the life of Byrd Deadrick will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Zion Baptist Church with Pastor Dr. Alan King and Pastor Stevie Guinn officiating. Committal Service and Interment will be 11 a,m, Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Mountain Home National Cemetery (Historic Section). Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Military Honors will be held. The Deadrick family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church prior to the service. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Thursday. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Deadrick famil