Candidate: Ray (R.J.) Deacon Jr.

Ray “R.J” was born in Staunton, Virginia. Growing up off a dirt road on his parent’s farm in Augusta County which they raised corn, soybeans, chickens, and cattle. Ray enjoyed helping his mother with her well known "enormous vegetable garden" every season. He graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. in 2001 with Bachelor of Arts in Business. 

He then moved to Lexington, Kentucky. to pursue a new job and in which he became involved with many numerous community organizations

as the Kentucky River keepers and an active volunteer with the PRIDE Spring Cleanup to collecting over 700 bags of trash at Cumberland Falls. 
He moved to Jacksonville in 2019 to pursue a life’s dream to live by the beach with his husband of 20 years, along with their 3 dogs and cat. 

After moving to Jacksonville, Ray saw a that Jacksonville needed a change in OUR local environment. He made a clear-cut decision to become a candidate to educate and encourage change to protect OUR water, soil, and beaches. 

Ray understands that clean soil and water is a necessity for our community now and for future generations.