MONROE – Oscar Felton Deese, 86, died peacefully June 18, 2012, at Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast. Born Oct. 13, 1925, in Hawkinsville, Ga., he was the son of William Thomas and Mary Georgia Deese.
Oscar’s parents died of pneumonia when he was 2 1/2 years old, and he and his two older brothers were raised by relatives. Oscar was raised by his uncle, James Wesley Stubbs and wife, Susie Mae, in Perry, Ga. Shortly after graduating high school in 1942, Oscar enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he spent a 26-year career before retiring as a chief master sergeant. He served as a tail gunner on B-17s during 26 missions over Germany during World War II. He was then sent to the Panama Canal Zone, where he served as a maintenance man preparing C-54s for hauling flour to Berlin during the Berlin Airlift. He then spent various tours of duty that included Dow Air Force Base, Bangor, and Limestone Air Force Base, where he was stationed from 1953 to 1965. Oscar met his future wife, Georgia H. Hendricks, at the NCO Club at Limestone Air Force in the early 1950s. After marrying Georgia Aug. 15, 1955, he adopted Georgia’s daughter, Donna Lee. Later years in the Air Force included tours of duty in Korea, as well as Vietnam, before Oscar retired from the Air Force in 1971. Oscar kept his Georgia accent throughout his life, but he had grown to love the state of Maine, especially during tours of duty at Limestone Air Force Base. He and his wife eventually settled in Monroe, in 1983, where Oscar resided until the time of his death. Oscar was well known for visiting friends and community members and leaving his special homemade baked goods.
Oscar was predeceased by his two brothers, Thomas F. Deese and James W. Deese; as well as his beloved wife, Georgia in 1996; and adopted daughter, Donna Lee (Nelson) Convay, in 1997. He is survived by two grandchildren, Kathleen Clark and Shawn Convay; many special friends in Georgia, as well as the community of Monroe. He will be especially missed by his beloved poodles, Snoopy and Missy, who were at his side as his best friends for years.
Friends and family are invited to a graveside service with military honors presented by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Gray’s Cemetery, Little Deer Isle. Arrangements are by Young Funeral Home, 31 West Main St., Searsport .