John Oakley Eaton

John Oakley Eaton departed this life peacefully the evening of March 22, 2025, in Yuma, Arizona. John was born June 19, 1941, to Laura Pearl Spragg Eaton and Walter Eaton, their eighth child and youngest son. He explored Eckler Mountain above Dayton, Washington, until the age of eight when the family moved to their Patit farm, just outside Dayton, so John could attend Dayton schools. John graduated from Dayton High in 1961, then earned his AA degree in Applied Sciences from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, in 1963. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965, remaining in the Army Reserves until 1967. John then spent two years with the Forestry Service in Pomeroy, WA., from 1965 to 1967. He found his niche with the Columbia County Road Department, spending 37 years with the department, retiring in 2002.

John and Sharon (Naslund) married on July 9, 1977, in Sharon's parents' yard in Spokane. The couple made their home in Dayton, becoming snowbirds in Yuma, in 2022, moving full-time in the Fall of 2024.

John was caring and good, quick to smile or joke, mild-mannered, but never to be underestimated. He loved his life in Dayton, the Eckler Mountains, where he and his siblings knew the names of the hollows and valleys. He grew up stalking mushrooms, camping, and hunting and continued to enjoy the small pleasures of the outdoors until his health prevented it. He was a loyal friend to many and a fixture at the 3 p.m. coffee club, where he loved to visit; John played a mean hand of cards and kept a strong connection with his friends after moving.

Above all, John was a family man. He and Sharon have two sons, Robert (Robb) and Randy, who were the absolute light of his life. Once their sons married and added two wonderful daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, life was even sweeter for Papa (and Noma) Eaton. His most favorite moments in retirement were spent with his 'boys' and their families.

John was a member of the American Legion, the Lion's Club, the Dayton Eagles, and the Dayton First Christian Church.

John is survived by Sharon of Yuma, AZ; Robert (Robb) and Petal (Makenzie and Isaiah) of Cary, NC; Randy and Danelle (Calvin and Simon) of Gig Harbor, WA; brother-in-law, Roger Naslund of Deer Park, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle John, dearly.

John was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Laura Pearl, and his siblings, Otho Eaton, Mary-Alice Powell, Shirley Wilson, Norman Eaton, Merna Elkin, Arlie Eaton, and Lanada Cunningham.

The family thanks Southwestern Palliative Care and Hospice and his special caregivers for their compassionate care.

Memorial Services in Dayton and Yuma will be held at a later date.

John 11:25 NIV, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."