OSCAR HENRY DEESE

Oscar Henry Deese, well- known Indian Trail produce merchant, died at 7:30 am on Sunday, October 11, 1981 at his 1200 Chestnut Lane residence in Indian Trail. Mr. Deese, 76, had suffered an illness of 22 months as the result of a stroke.

A native and lifelong resident of western Union County's Vance Township, he was born on September 29, 1905. He was the eldest of 11 children born to the late Bahamas Lee Deese and Carry Nellie Ann Vanderburg Deese. His father was a well- known farmer and merchant in the area, running a general store at Indian Trail for many years.

For 30 years, he, was employed by Southern Bakery Company in Charlotte where he worked as a salesman and later as Supervisor until the mid 1950's when he retired.

At that time he founded Austin Produce Company in Indian Trail which he operated for 25 years until turning the business over to his son in recent years. His specialty was tomatoes, which he ordered by truckloads from out of state in off season. He was dubbed "The Tomato Man" as the result of the great interest he took in this product and his many years in that business.

He had attended the Indian Trail Presbyterian Church for many years and was formerly a member of the Adult Sunday school class. A Mason for 40 years, he was a member of the Matthews Masonic lodge No. 461 A. F. & A.M

Survivors include his widow, the former Miss Josie Mae Laney to whom he was married on September 29, 1928; their two children, Henry Austin Deese of the home, and Mrs. Harriette Laney Vickery of Indian Trail; their son-in-law, Larry Joe Vickery of Indian Trail two grandchildren, Collin Scott Vickery and Miss Amy Jo Vickevy both of Indian Trail; five sisters Mrs. Essie Mae Sutton, Miss Gladys Alberta Deese, and Mrs. Ethelee Deese Bowers all of Charlotte, Mrs. Hilda Virginia Hedrick. of Garden City Beach, S.C., and Mrs. Elizabeth Fitzgerald McCarver of Gastonia; and three .brothers, Clarence Houston Deese of Huntersville Lawrence Medlin Deese of Puerto and Kirby Holmes Deese also of Charlotte.

Funeral rites were held at 4 pm on Tuesday October 13 at the Indian 'Trail Presbyterian Church, with Church Pastor Rev. Edward Charles Wilson officiating. Burial followed in the Indian Trail Cemetery with Masonic graveside rites being conducted by B. Keith-Williams and members of the Matthews Lodge. McEwen 'Funeral Home in Charlotte handled the funeral arrangements

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