By Enid Lake Park Rangers

“LAST OF THE BULL CREW”

Thomas C. Deaton, better known as “Tommy”, retired December 31 after more than  38 years of service with the United States Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake.

Tommy attended Panola County Schools and graduated from South Panola in 1967.

He then attended Northwest Community College from 1967-1969 and Mississippi State  University from 1969-1972 and graduated with a degree in  General Business.

In  November of 1974 Tommy was hired as a seasonal area construction and maintenance worker at Enid Lake. When Tommy began his career with the Corps of Engineers, new  hires became part of what was affectionately known as the “Bull Crew.”

This group normally was transported to their work site in the back of a covered Dodge Power Wagon and performed manual labor using hand tools such as: shovels, joe blades, swing blades, axes and sledge hammers.

The Term “Bull Crew” referred to the young men on this work crew, who had to be strong as bulls to survive.  In November 1978 Tommy was  promoted to a seasonal maintenance worker and promoted to a permanent maintenance worker in 1994 when the Mississippi Lakes were realigned under the Grenada Project Management Office.

Deaton can look back over his career of 38 years with great pride knowing that his selfless service and hard work has been a major contributing factor in Enid Lake being one of Mississippi’s premier recreation destinations.

No matter from which direction visitors come to Enid Lake, when they cross the government boundary they are welcomed by a sign that Tommy erected.  When visitors are looking for a particular recreation area, they follow signs put up by Tommy to make their search a little easier.

Visitors may also notice rustic split rail fences in many recreation areas that are always well maintained with no rails missing or on the ground because Tommy has been responsible for this maintenance item. Tommy has also had a hand in erecting and maintaining many of the campsite amenities including: picnic tables, grills, grill service tables, trash receptacles and water and electrical service.

Tommy has always strived to make every visitor’s experience an enjoyable one by providing safe and quality facilities. Other maintenance items Tommy has been responsible for include: bulletin boards, playgrounds, restroom and shower facilities, picnic shelters, fire rings, grills, etc. Maintaining the facilities at Enid Lake has truly been a significant accomplishment in Tommy’s career.

Tommy has also played a vital role in the project’s mission of Flood Damage Reduction. His attention to detail and meticulous inspection abilities have proven especially beneficial during the flood years of 1973, 1983, 1991 and 2002.

During these years of high water Tommy was responsible for monitoring flood control structures, project instrumentation, and accurately recording data collection daily regardless of the weather conditions.

After the terrorists attacks of 09-11-01 Tommy was called on to help man a check point at one of the entrances to Enid Lake. He once again provided superior performance in exercising his duties to provide an element of security for Enid Lake personnel and visitors.

Tommy has served as an example to all of those who have known and  worked  with him and has always worked with a Christian attitude.

His abilities are found in the aesthetics of the facilities of Enid Lake and each time a visitor says, “Enid Lake is one of the most beautiful and well maintained parks they have ever visited,”   it is a tribute to Tommy’s years of dedicated service to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tommy and his wife Glenda live in the Pope Community and attend  Calvary Baptist     Church in Batesville. They have one son, Daniel, who is married to Nicole and one grandson, Elijah.

Congratulations Tommy on a job well done and best wishes for long and happy retirement.