FAYETTEVILLE, TN – Dr. James E. Deaton, age 59, of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Dr. Deaton was born August 23, 1964, in Elizabethton, TN and is a son of Val Deaton and the late James D. Deaton.
Dr. Deaton received a degree in Biological Sciences from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in 1986. He continued his formal education at ETSU until receiving a Master of Sciences degree in 1990. While a graduate student, he served as a teaching and research assistant at the university’s biological sciences department.
Dr. Deaton began his chiropractic education in 1992. While completing his advanced degree, he joined the faculty and taught microbiology in the undergraduate studies program at Life University of Chiropractic in Atlanta. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1995, received his license in the state of Tennessee and began his career working with Dr. Marilyn Everett in Tullahoma, TN.
Dr. Deaton began his own practice in Fayetteville, TN in 1999, Center for Physical Medicine, building a family-oriented business focusing on each patient’s overall health and unique needs. He was committed to serving the people of Lincoln County where he was a member of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Fayetteville Elks Lodge and served as a past president of the Kiwanis Club. He supported many civic, educational, and foundation fundraising efforts aimed at making the area a healthier and happier place to live.
In addition to his mother, Dr. Deaton has left behind to cherish his memory: loving partner, Ashley McCain and her children, Walker and Alivia; brother, Mike (Jessica) Deaton and their children, Abby, Hailey, Jeremiah, and Braeden; brother, Jeff (Kristi) Deaton and their children, Sarah and Lucas; his office family, Kori Pirtle and Reagan Stevenson; and numerous friends.
A memorial gathering will be held from 5 PM until 7 PM on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home. A private burial will take place in Elizabethton, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society, P.O. Box 37, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Dr. James E. Deaton.
I was a patient for the last 3 or 4 years. He was the best chiropractor I have ever seen. Always enjoyed our conversations about SEC sports. He will be greatly missed.
I’ve known Dr. Deaton for over 20 years. He was me and my Mom’s chiropractor for many years; treating us back to health. He was such a caring, compassionate doctor & friend.
The family has our prayers and deepest sympathy during their hour of bereavement.
Sending deepest condolences to Dr. Deaton’s family. Much love and many prayers to each of you.
TCA member
Lori Monaco, DC
My heart is broken. Dr. Deaton was my chiropractor since 2001. He was the reason I discovered Fayetteville. He was also my friend and a very caring person. I was his first “ international patient”. I will miss his laugh and his giving nature. I will cherish the 23 years of memories. Good bye my friend…
I grew up with Jim, as we all called him that lived in Danner Subdivision, he lived on the same street as I did, as well as his brothers, Mike & Jeff, he loved to go fishing and play anything that had to do with sports, but it was his love to aggravate his friends, when he was little he had allergies real bad & had to carry a handkerchief around in his back pocket & he was skinny like me, when we were playing football at our house he had to do something to get the rest of us tickled & we would get him down & tickle him till he couldn’t laugh anymore, out of back pocket came that handkerchief, when he got up from blowing his nose he would have to do something else to keep us laughing🤣. Jim I will always think of our times together, whatever we did we always had fun together. I am grateful for our friendship.
There are just no words to express what a great person Dr D was. My family and I have followed him to every office beginning in Tullahoma for 26 years. My husband and I, our daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren were all patients. He was such a kind-hearted caring person. My heart just hurts for his family. We, (he and our family) have said many times that we feel like family. We were just texting Monday just to let him know we were thinking about him and praying all was ok. We exchanged some messages and then being the person he was he said he should be back in the office at the end of the week and he would have Kori call us. I told him I wasn’t worried about that to just take care of himself and let us know if he needed anything. So unbelievable. I can still hear his laugh, always cutting up and aggravating. Our family is just in shock. He will be missed greatly. Prayers for his family, especially his mom. I have never seen a son take care of his mom the way he did. Such a great person.
He will be missed. He’s been my Chiropractor for many years 🙏
I said that in a vm only near Valentines Day a favorite Holiday I have.
I will miss Him. I met him first when I was 5. I remember his fish tank. He was at a Chiropractic office in Tullahoma Tennessee.
I will turn 35 in August. My Guardian Angel pendants with Peridot wings make sense now. I thought and said in my Brothers vm, ” Why do I have guardian Angels with peridot wings? Am I gonna die&watch over myself?”
Dr. Deaton was the best chiropractor my husband and I had ever been to! I had an ongoing neck pain issue that 2 other docs couldn’t help. He told me he could get me out of pain,
and he did!! He had a kind heart, and a wonderful sense of humor. Once you heard him laugh, you couldn’t help but laugh with him! He loved his mother dearly, too! His loss is not only a loss for our community, but a personal loss to our family as well, as he wasn’t just our chiropractor, he was our friend! Prayers for his entire family!
So very sorry to hear this! He was an awesome doctor and was very caring. A tremendous loss for Fayetteville! Praying for his family and friends.
My deepest condolences to Dr.Deaton’s family and loved ones. He will be missed.
Prayers for the family. 🙏🏻
He is my chiropractor and friend! I’m so beyond devastated by this. He was such a cut-up!!! He was the sweetest, kindest, big-heartedest and caringest, man and chiropractor. He was the best. He is going to be missed by so, so many. He just recently helped me get my disability and I didn’t even get to thank him. I will forever be brokenhearted over this. Thank you Dr. D for all you’ve done for me over the years. I will miss you and your infectious laughter and you teasing me all the time. Rest in Peace.
So sorry to hear this it just breaks my heart he was a wonderful guy ,great friend! His friends and family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
He will be missed. Sorry for your loss.I could call him any time and he would fit me in his schedule
I owe my life to Dr Deaton. On 2 different occasions, he went beyond what was called of him to do for me. I can’t even begin how heart broken I am over such a loss that meant so much to many. Such a kind, sweet and compassionate man. My deepest condolences to his Family and many Friends.
Doctor. Friend. I met him the month he opened his first practice in Fayetteville so I’ve known him for almost 25 years. I never referred anyone to him that wasn’t either helped by him or referred to someone who could help them. He was generous to schools, the community, and his friends and family. May God bless those he leaves behind—family, friends, patients and coworkers. I am so very sorry for our loss.
Dr Deaton was such a wonderful Doctor and such a smart, nice person. He also treated me for more than 8 yrs and my husband for the last 4. He was always such an inspiring person that was helping us through some very tough and trying times. He was always smiling when we were there and looking forward to the next visit. Praying for his Mom and Ashley and the kids. His staff was so sweet and we knew Kori from his first office to his last. God Bless you all.
I am sorry for the family’s loss and for losing a great chiropractor.
He was my chiropracter. He helped fixed the mess in my neck. He was a good man. RIP my friend.
O How sad. I will cherish our time playing football in your dad and moms yard on Sunday afternoons. Mike and Jeff so Sorry for your loss.
Dr Deatin was a god send for me for almost 11 years. He was always so good to me not only did he help me greatly he was always making me laugh when I was there. His since of humor & caring nature always made me feel better. He was truly a Dr who’s main focus was helping his patiences no matter what. He will be greatly missed. Prayers to his family & everyone who was blessed to have him be apart of their lives
Dr. Destin so good to me and my family. I considered him a very good friend. He was very giving, compassionate and loved to laugh. This absolutely breaks my heart. He loved his mother and his nieces and nephews very much.
I am so sad that he is gone! I was his patient but he always treated as a friend. He will be so missed!
All who knew Dr. Deaton loved him…..I suppose the Lord needed him more.
Prayers to the family and friends of Dr. Deaton. So sorry for your loss!
Lenace Hyde Lehnert
He was a very caring good person. He will be missed 🙏🙏❤️
While my mother was employed there, he treated me nothing short of a daughter. I actually made sure to never mention anything I may want or need because I didn’t want him to give it to me. He was that kind and thoughtful. This is a devastating loss to our community. Rest in peace sweet Dr. Deaton.
For over 20 years of Chiropractic help
Dr Deaton has been there when I could hardly walk … His professional experience was a God sent in my times of need , as well as to many other lives. My highest Praises of Dr Deaton was his companion to multitude of others when financially others could not pay but were in pain and he rendered treatment at ( No cost $) not to even mention to put it on there bill.
Knowing this
first handed my mother in law was a recipient of his Compassionate Benevolence…. We have lost a man of multiple skills and Compassionate heart ❤️ for hurting humanity 💔
He will be greatly missed.
A cry out to a community to be sending up prayers for family, friends ,patients 🧡 here in all our grieving
He had the heart of gold. He helped me so much . I will truly miss him. I will miss his laugh. I will miss his sweet smile. Many people were blessed by him everyday. He will a leave a huge role to follow. Love you Dr. Deaton
Dr James took care of me, my husband ,my son, my stepmom ,my dad ,and my mother ,and there were times when we didn’t have the money especially my mother and he never charged us. He was always full of laughter and jovial and he could fix us every time we were broken. He saved my husband from several back surgeries ! we are so grieved in our hearts , it feels like we’ve lost our family member ,we are praying for his family and his mama who he dearly loved.