Tara Leighton Deeker of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Marthasville, succumbed to cancer on September 3, 2021, all the while surrounded by family and friends. She was born on or about June 10, 1973, in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). That year she was adopted by her parents, Captain and Mrs. Donald L. Deeker. She was baptized in St. John’s United Church of Christ in High Hill in 1973. She became a naturalized citizen in 1976.
Tara was confirmed in the Christian faith in 1986 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Marthasville. Her confirmation memory verse was Isaiah 49:15b-16a: “I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed your name on the palms of my hands.”
Tara graduated from Washington High School in 1991 and Drury University in Springfield in 1995.
In 1996, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked in jobs associated with the entertainment industry. At the time of her death, she had been working at the NFL Network as a production manager. On Tuesday, September 7, her memory was honored with tributes by many of the on-air personalities.
Tara’s memory is treasured by her parents, Rev. Don and Carrie Deeker, Marthasville; sisters Courtney and Fernando Hernandez, St. Louis, and Joylin and Brett Kline, St. Louis County; brother Aubrey Deeker of Madison, WI; six nephews, two nieces, other family members and a wealth of friends. She treated her friends’ children as if they were her very own. All children were special to her. She had much love and friendship to share.
Tara was an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Whenever the Cardinals and Dodgers played against each other, she would proudly wear her Cardinal red in a sea of Dodger blue.
There will be a celebration of her life in Los Angeles at a later date. Plans for a local memorial service are undetermined. Memorials are suggested to Cardinals Care, an organization dedicated to serving children in the St. Louis community since 1997. Gifts can be sent directly to Cardinals Care, 700 Clark St., St. Louis, MO 63102, or to Don Deeker, 316 S. 6th St., Marthasville, MO 63357.
