Bonnie Deal, a longtime resident of Evanston, died Monday morning, July 15, at her residence.
Bonnie was born 1947, in Charleston, West Virginia. She then lived in a variety of areas that included Germany, California, Texas and Wyoming. From her early school years to the last years of her life, Bonnie was an advocate for education in all forms.
She graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio, Texas, and then from Trinity University, also in San Antonio. Bonnie first married her high school sweetheart, Berry Joe Burns, who preceded her in death. She then married the next love of her life, Dwight Deal, in Pasadena, Texas, in 1974.
Bonnie taught English in San Antonio and Pasadena, Texas, before enrolling in graduate school at Utah State University. There, she earned a master’s degree and then an educational specialist degree emphasizing media and technology. These degrees enabled her to share her passion for literacy with many students.
Bonnie taught English at Evanston Middle School for two years before transitioning into a media specialist role for East Elementary School, also in Evanston. She later served as the media specialist for Uinta Meadows Elementary School. Bonnie retired in 2006.
During her 28 years working for Uinta Country School District No. 1, she was instrumental in getting bond issues passed, which financed the building of several schools while equipping them with books, media and technology. At every point in her life, Bonnie worked tirelessly to empower those around her with a love for literacy. Bonnie loved reading and teaching children to love reading.
She is survived by her husband, Dwight Deal; and her siblings, Michael Moran, Richard Moran and Suzi Moates. She is also survived by Rhonda Gamble, her niece whom she loved and treated as a daughter; along with several other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In honor of her enduring devotion to literacy, a memorial gift may be made to Uinta County School District No. 1 with a memo: Bonnie’s books for kids. This is intended to provide more books for the Uinta Meadows Elementary Media Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Crandall Funeral Home in Evanston.
