Deas said he was very proud to see the park project nearly completed and felt honored that the newly paved road leading to it was named for him.

Commission Chairman Patricia DuBose presented him with a plaque of commemoration and a copy of the resolution dedicating the road in his honor.

“This dedication is certainly a deserved one,” said DuBose. “We are here to dedicate this road in honor of a visionary, Commissioner Tom Deas. But, it isn’t just because he had the foresight and leadership to get the park renovated and the road paved that we honor him today. It is also because he was the kind of commissioner who was respected and appreciated by all those in District 3, by fellow commissioners and by all of Clarke County.”

Deas thanked Paul Parham, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, former U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan, the Clarke County Commission, courthouse staff, NRCS member Norman Burton, Clarke County Engineer Sam Noble and county road inspector Phillip Downey for their help in making the project a success. “We had a lot of cooperation from people who wanted to be involved,” said Deas. “I also want to thank the five workers who helped clear this area out for the park to be created.”

Tom Deas listens as Clarke County Commission Chairman Patricia DuBose reads plaque dedicating road leading to Old Lock 1 Park in his honor (top). Views of the improved park, including the old lock’s walls (right).

Deas received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

In 1995 Deas began working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Norman Burton of the Alabama-Tombigbee Re-source Conservation and Devel-opment Council to improve the park for campers and those who enjoy fishing. In 1996 he began to clear trees and sediment from the esplanade and to upgrade the access road by replacing three bridges.

In 1999, Corps Resource Manager Stephen F. Logan from the Demopolis office led an effort to provide funds to build a pavilion, renovate the boat ramp, fence the dam area and pave the road and parking lot. This resulted in a cost-share project between the Corps and Clarke County at a cost of approximately $121,000.

In July of 2000, water lines were extended to the park at an additional cost of about $57,000, also shared between the Corps, Clarke County and the Salitpa Water System. The following year work began on paving the access road, which is 3.612 miles long.

Assisting in securing federal funds for the paving of the road were Jackson businessman Paul Parham, U.S. Sen. Shelby and Congressman Callahan. Approximately $879,000 was raised.

Work began in January of 2003 and was completed at the end of this summer.

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