Timothy Willis “Tim” Deese Jr., 83, of York, South Carolina, passed away on October 14, 2026.
Tim was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, to the late Timothy Willis Deese Sr. and Sarah Wilson Deese. He proudly served his country, first in the United States Marine Corps and later in the United States Air Force, where he worked with aircraft instrumentation. Following his military service, Tim began a career at Catawba Nuclear Station, where he worked as an engineer until his retirement.
Faith became an important part of Tim’s life, and he was a devoted member of Lake Wylie Christian Assembly. He faithfully served his church by managing its presentation and projection system, often arriving early on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings to make sure everything was ready. He also led the church’s Celebrate Recovery program for many years. Having experienced his own journey to sobriety, Tim understood personally the struggles faced by those seeking recovery. He used that experience to encourage and serve others, turning one of the most difficult chapters of his own life into an opportunity to help others through theirs.
Anyone who knew Tim knew that he loved his sports. He was an avid NASCAR fan, particularly of Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon, and his collection of NASCAR memorabilia seemed to have no end. His family discovered this firsthand while cleaning out his home—every time they thought they had found the last of it, somehow there was more.
He was also a devoted Carolina Panthers and Carolina Tar Heels fan, but few loyalties ran deeper than his love for his hometown Richmond Raiders. Friday nights frequently found Tim making the trip from York back to Rockingham to watch the Raiders play. His son, Scott, was often right there with him, along with Tim’s cousin Darrell. When playoff season came, distance was no obstacle—they went wherever the Raiders went. Over the years, those Friday nights became a family tradition, with Dawn, Paul, and the grandchildren joining them for many cold November playoff games.
Tim treasured the lifelong bonds he shared with his cousins, Perry and Darrell. They had grown up together, and those relationships endured throughout their lives. During Tim’s final years, as his health declined, Perry and Darrell continued to make the trip to visit him together. Their faithful presence meant a great deal to Tim and to his family.
For more than 20 years, Myrtle Beach was another special part of Tim’s life. Annual family trips during the last week of July created friendships and traditions that lasted for decades. Tim could often be found sitting beneath the family’s gazebo, listening to his music, watching the ocean and the people passing by while family and friends stopped throughout the day to sit and visit with him. Everyone always knew where to find him. When the wind was right, Tim would bring out his trick kites, taking turns flying them with his son, Scott, and son-in-law, Paul, while people gathered along the beach to watch.
Above all, Tim loved his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Deese; his daughter, Tina Deese Huggins; his parents, Timothy Willis Deese Sr. and Sarah Wilson Deese; and his siblings, Billie Jean Newton, Harry Deese, and Tony Deese.
He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Luck and her husband, Paul; his son, Timothy Scott Deese and his wife, Michelle; and his son-in-law, Kenny Huggins. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michelle Luck Bailey and her husband, Trent; Damon Luck and his wife, Maleena; and Gillian Deese Harris and her husband, Nolan; and by his five great-grandchildren, Rory, Chipper, Lia, Haven, and Hudson, who knew him as Papa.
Tim’s life was one of many chapters—service to his country, a long career, family traditions, lifelong friendships, faith, recovery, and service to others. Those who loved him will remember the man who showed up: early for church, on Friday nights for the Raiders, at the beach beneath his gazebo, and for the people and causes that became important to him.
A memorial service celebrating Tim’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Lake Wylie Christian Assembly. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The address for Lake Wylie Christian Assembly is: 5766 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC 29710.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lake Wylie Christian Assembly’s Celebrate Recovery Program, a ministry that was especially close to Tim’s heart.
To Donate, please go to: https://app.sharefaith.com/app/giving/halopays-4871
Select Give on the Lake Wylie Christian website or use the link above and choose One-time donations, then select Tim Deese in the Funds drop down tab, from there you can leave a note for Celebrate Recovery and enter the amount you would like to donate.