Obituary of Nathan F. Deering

Nathan Frederick Deering was born on November 3, 1932 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late Norman and Anna Deering. He was the third of six children. Nathan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Haven Hospice, JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. At an early age, Nathan joined Rogers Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville and was an active member of the church until he left for college. Nathan graduated from Austin High School in Knoxville and later received a B.S. degree from Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia. While in high school and at Hampton University he excelled in basketball and was inducted in the Hampton University Basketball Hall of Fame. Nathan was also a member of the ROTC at Hampton. Nathan married Niataja Valentine in 1958 and moved to East Orange, New Jersey to start their life together. To this union was born three children, Cheryl Lynn, Eric Norman and Scott Earl. Nathan taught for thirty-five years in New Jersey's Essex County Vocational and Technical Schools serving the youth in Newark. He served as Head Soccer Coach for Bloomfield Tech and led the team to a 1976 county championship. He coached soccer teams in the Plainfield area for a number of years. In addition, he served as the Commissioner of the Plainfield Optimist Club's Soccer League. Nathan attended the United Church of Christ - Congregational in Plainfield, New Jersey. Nathan was preceded in death by his brother Reverend DePriest Deering, his sister Kay Frances Deering and his niece Charmaine Deering all of Los Angeles, California. Nathan is survived by his devoted wife Niataja, his daughter Cheryl Deering of Plainfield, New Jersey; Eric Deering of Somerset, New Jersey; Scott (Michelle) Deering of Somerset, New Jersey; granddaughters Faith and Cassandra; his sisters Jerelene (David) Wells of Los Angeles, California, Evelyn (Joe) Jackson of North Brunswick, New Jersey; Dennis (Annie) Deering of Cambria Heights, New York; his sister-in-law Arnette Deering of Los Angeles, California and countless nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Nathan was a devoted husband, loving father and a kind, caring, generous person to all who knew him. He will live in our hearts forever. The family kindly requests in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Nathan Deering's name to Haven Hospice, 65 James Street, Post Office Box 3059, Edison, New Jersey 08818-3659 A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., the funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the United Church of Christ - Congregational, 220 West Seventh Street, Plainfield, New Jersey. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Higgins Home for Funerals, Plainfield, NJ.