Trevor Carl Deem II's Obituary
Trevor C. (Skip) Deem II, who resided in Broward County, Florida, went to his eternal resting place on September 8, 2014. Trevor was born in Dennison, Ohio on February 10, 1947. He was 67 years old at the time of his death. Trevor fought a long, hard, noble battle with sickness and disease for most of his adult life. He was a Christian who served in various areas of the ministry, plus he was devoted to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Most recently, Trevor was a member of Abundant Life Church in Coconut Creek, FL.
Trevor served valiantly and courageously in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 until his honorable discharge in early 1971. He was exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical used in and around Viet Nam near Da Nang, along with other areas, where he served in the Marine Corps Air Wing in 1967-68. This exposure would ultimately lead to his many sicknesses and diseases, resulting in his eventual death.
Trevor was a door gunner and became proficient at using a .50 cal machine gun (maduce). He provided security for infantry and medical evacuations throughout the I Corps Area. He was exposed to many dead and seriously wounded Marines. He witnessed the horrors of war up close and personal throughout his tour of duty. Trevor was brilliant; when he was first sent to Viet Nam, he served in a administrative position in a military office at Marble Mountain near Da Nang. Trevor was always adventurous plus he wasn’t satisfied with not seeing and participating in any actual fighting or battles. His brother, Michael, was already “in country” and involved in heavy fighting in Quang-tri province. Trevor decided to visit Michael and join him in the battle. That visitation incident sparked and triggered Trevor’s reason to volunteer for dangerous helicopter missions to save his fellow Marines.
Trevor was a decorated Viet Nam veteran who served his country well and to the best of his ability. He was a member of the American Legion, the DAV, and the VFW. He was loved by most people who came in contact with him and his generosity to others was widely known. He was a patriot and a defender of the weak. In the end, it was he who was the weak one and had to be cared for at the Miami VA Hospital from May, 2013, until his recent death. Trevor passed from this life to his heavenly reward with dignity, grace, and peace.
Trevor was preceded in death by his parents, Trevor Deem I and Marcella Deem, in 1998 and 1997, respectively. Trevor leaves behind a heritage of love and kindness to his six brothers: Michael J. Deem (Jo), Timothy J. Deem (Carolyn), George A. Deem (Barbara), Richard A. Deem (Tabitha), Thomas E. Deem (Wanda), James L. Deem (Tammy), and one sister, Mary Ann Warner. In addition, Trevor is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and his paternal uncle, Don Deem (Jane). A special honorable mention goes out to Kim Ferguson and Ester Sutton, his private duty CNA’s at the hospital who cared for Trevor as if he was a member of their own family. Many thanks to all the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, CNA’s, and other staff members at the Miami VA hospital, and to the Fisher House staff for helping his family with accommodations.
A viewing will be held at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home (South), Lakeland, FL, on 9/14/14, at 2:00 P.M. and a Christian service to celebrate Trevor’s life on earth and his new life in heaven will directly follow at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel. Pastor Lee Thomas of First Assembly Ministries (FAM) in Mulberry, FL, will officiate. Interment services will be held at the Florida National Veteran’s Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, on 9/15/14, at 12:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Miami Fisher House, Miami, FL. Address is 1201 NW 16th Street Miami, FL 33125.
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