18 Oct Father Jack Deeves
Yesterday, heaven welcomed Father Jack Deeves, S.J. – inspiring priest, brilliant physicist, self-proclaimed “corny” comic, friend, eternal optimist, and heart transplant survivor. For seventeen years, Father Deeves taught theology and pshyics at Ursuline Academy here in Dallas, where I went to high school, and I had the pleasure of knowing and learning from him for the last sixteen. Father Deeves was a gentle giant – at least to a tiny little freshman! I will always remember his reassuring voice, his endearing child-like smile, and forgiving nature. On your worst days, he was there with a funny joke (or he thought so, at least) or a little song. On your best days, he shared in your joy and seemed to make it multiply effortlessly.
As a student, I always knew he had “heart problems”, and I’m pretty sure I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that he had received a new heart. When Keegan was born, Father Deeves was his biggest supporter and never failed to lift Keegan up in prayer daily. In September 2007, Keegan became the smallest and youngest heart transplant recipient in Texas, and Father Deeves (transplanted in 1989) was the oldest living heart transplant in north Texas. Dr. Ring, who founded the heart transplant program at Children’s and was part of Keegan’s initial repair, also performed Father Deeves’s surgery. Father Deeves was an inspiration to us in caring for Keegan and giving us hope for his future. He never took for granted the the significance of his second chance at life, and he taught us to live each day grateful for the miracle that it is.
We will miss you, Father Deeves. We are so grateful for the impact you had on our lives, and we will never forget you. Please join us in keeping his family and the Dallas Jesuit and Ursuline communities in your prayers at this difficult time.