Nathan Deal

He married Sandra Dunagan, a graduate from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. Sandra thrived in boosting education of children and still continues in her efforts after becoming the First Lady of Georgia. She serves as Chair of the Governor’s Office for Children and Family and also as Co-Chair of the Georgia Children’s Cabinet. Her other endeavours as First Lady include community service and volunteering.

The couple is blessed with one son, Jason and three daughters, Katie, Carrie and Mary Emily.

He was born on August 25, 1942, in Millen, Georgia to Noah J. Deal and his wife Mary Mallard, both of whom were educators.

Deal was raised in a farm in Sandersville in Washington County, Georgia. He attended ‘Mercer University’ in Macon from where he completed his graduation in 1964.

In 1966 he obtained Juris Doctor Degree from Mercer University’s ‘Walter F. George School of Law’.

Following his law degree he was enlisted in the United States Army where he served as Captain at Fort Gordon in Augusta from 1966 to 1968. Thereafter he started private practice as an attorney and continued such practice for 23 years. He also worked as a criminal prosecutor.

He was made assistant district attorney on northeast Georgia in 1970.

In 1971 he was inducted as juvenile court judge in Hall County that marked his first judicial appointment. He served the position till 1972. He also served as a North-eastern Judicial Circuit superior court judge

On January 3, 1981, he became Member of the Georgia Senate from the 49th district as a Democrat succeeding Howard Overby. He served the position till January 3, 1993. Meanwhile in November 1990, the Democratic Party elected him to be the President Pro Tempore, the chamber’s 2nd highest position.

On January 3, 1993, he succeeded Ed Jenkins to enter the US Congress as a Democrat to become Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 9th district.