Lucius Linton Deck, Jr. ’50

Linton Deck was a big person – in stature and personality.

After graduating from Davidson College, he served as a science teacher, football coach, and high school principal in Fulton County, Georgia. Later, he earned a Masters of Arts at the George Peabody College for Teachers and a Doctor of Education at Harvard University. He was a captain in the 81st Infantry Division United States Army Reserves for 14 years.

 

Early in his career, Deck served as Assistant Superintendent in Alexandria (VA) City Schools, where he assisted with significant school desegregation planning and implementation. He served on the Education faculty at the University of Georgia and later became Assistant Superintendent for Instruction with the Nashville Metropolitan Public Schools.

From 1971 – 1982, Deck served as Superintendent of Schools in Bibb County Public Schools in Macon, GA; Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, FL; and Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, VA. He achieved national recognition for championing the use of technology to enhance student learning, professional development for teachers and administrators, and expanded programs for students with disabilities.

In succeeding years, Deck served as the founding Director of the Learning Technology Center at Vanderbilt University, chaired their Department of Educational Leadership, and held several other administrative positions. He also served as Director of Educational and Non-profit Applications Programs, Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.

After a short retirement, he was persuaded to come to the University of West Georgia as professor and Chair, Department of Educational Leadership. He worked there until 2007 when he again retired, and he and Pat moved to Givens Estates in Asheville.

Deck was the first recipient of The Conroy Prize for outstanding leadership, awarded by the Harvard School of Education. He also received the American Association of School Administrators’ Distinguished Service Award for “exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to public education” and the Horace Mann League’s Outstanding Educator Award “for leadership in the strengthening of public education in the United States.”

His life had a profound impact on thousands of young people, educators, and colleagues. His legacy will live long in the lives of those he touched, and he will be remembered as a man of integrity who respected everyone.

Both he and Pat greatly appreciated the support they received from Dr. Timothy Plaut of MAHEC and the staffs of the Givens Health Center and Wood Assisted Living during his long battle with Parkinson’s disease. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Givens Estates on August 29, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc., 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118. Please specify the Linton Deck Leadership Scholar Fund in the memo section of the check.