Carl was born on August 7, 1946, to Eleanor and John Carl Deaton in Beaumont, Texas. The family, which grew to include three sons and two daughters, lived on a rice and cattle farm in southeast Texas, near Hamshire.
Carl’s rodeo career kicked off at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, in 1964, where his roommate, a calf roper, introduced him to the sport. After honing his skills in steer wrestling, Carl earned a spot on the rodeo team. He qualified for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Finals from 1966 to 1969, clinching the National title in 1968 and 1969, and, along with his team members, the NIRA Men’s Championship in 1969.
Following his graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, Carl continued to compete in rodeo. He became a member of the Southwestern Rodeo Association (SRA) and the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA), qualifying for the finals of both associations for several years.
In 1974, Carl joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), competing through 1990. He qualified for the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in 1975, 1976, and 1979 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and for the PRCA Texas Circuit finals every year. A career highlight came in 1976 at the Tulsa, Oklahoma, rodeo, where Carl threw a steer in 2.4 seconds (behind a barrier), tying the PRCA world record at the time with fellow Texan, Jim Bynum.
From 1990 to 1995, Carl competed in the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association events across the state and won the Champion Steer Wrestler title in 1990. He retired from the sport in 1995.
Carl and his wife, Tootie, have two sons, Robert and David. They continue to reside near Hamshire, operating a cattle and rice farm on the Texas Gulf Coast Prairie.
