Deke Leamon Baggett

Deke Leamon Baggett, 87, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026 at Wesley Woods of Newnan. He was born on September 20, 1938 in Wilmington, North Carolina to the late Delmas Eli and Marylou Tucker Baggett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Thomas Tucker Baggett. Deke grew up in Whiteville, North Carolina, and he attended Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. In 1957, he graduated from Whiteville High School, where he met, and later married, his wife: Lorraine Mary Plasky. Deke went on to graduate from Campbell College in Buies Creek, NC with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. Deke had a lifelong career in the cement industry and will be remembered for his strong work ethic. His personable relationships made him widely known - from Minnesota to Florida - by the nickname of "King Concrete". Beginning his career in Dunn, NC, he and his family moved across the country, including Durham, NC; Burnsville, MN; Mitchell, IN; Raleigh, NC; Germantown, TN; Atlanta, GA; and finally Newnan, Georgia, where he and Lorraine settled down for 47 years. During his career, Deke found a passion for planning and enjoying fishing expeditions. From Apalachicola, Fl, to Nestor Falls, Canada, and Marathon, Fl, his fishing trips were times he cherished with customers, friends, and family. Deke was a valuable asset to the wholesale cement industry, and he remained with the Heidelberg Cement company, formerly known as Lehigh-Hanson Cement, as a consultant until the age of 80. In 2024, Deke was featured in the GRMCA Oral History Podcast and labeled an "Industry Veteran". Most notably, Deke was a family man. He loved nothing more than gathering at Lake Waccamaw, NC, with a house full of children, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins where you could find him sitting on the back porch telling stories and cracking jokes. Cooking and entertaining at the lake, while surrounded by family and friends, were among his greatest joys. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine Plasky Baggett; children: Lorraine "Lorey" Mary Baggett of Saint Simons Island, GA, Thomas "Tom" Leamon Baggett (Andrea Mansour) of Atlanta, GA, Nancy Baggett Howell (Christopher) of Newnan, GA, Joseph "Joe" Eli Baggett (Tracy) of Newnan, GA; and grandchildren: Madelyn Alexander Baggett, Mary Tucker Howell, Julia Harston Howell, Joseph "Jeb" Eli Baggett, Jr., Kate Thaden Howell, and William Barron Baggett. A private family mass and burial will be held at a later date in Whiteville, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in memory of Deke Baggett to Campbell University with the Baggett Wellness Fund in the subject line. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 125 Buies Creek, NC 27506, or online donations can be made using the link below: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/82253/donations/new?a=13553290 Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Deke Leamon Baggett

September 20, 1938 - June 20, 2026