John F. Eaton, age 78, passed away at his home in Kemmerer, on Saturday, March 5. He was born on Jan. 19, 1944, in Dillon, Montana, the son of Favre Lee and Mary Francis (Day) Eaton.
John married Mary Susan Bradley on Aug. 19, 1967, in Missoula, Montana. His working career was spent for the majority of his life with the railroad, working as a signal maintainer. He began working for the railroad on Aug. 10, 1978, and retired on March 1, 2006.
John also worked for a time as a teacher, and he also worked as a ranch hand in Big Hole, Montana. His most enjoyable job was being a smoke jumper. John served his country in the United States Army as a captain, and he also served in the National Guard as a captain.
Throughout his life, John participated in numerous clubs and organizations. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Cokeville, the Evanston Masonic Lodge, the Kemmer Masonic Lodge No. 33 — where he served as grand master for 12 years — the Esther Eastern Star Chapter No. 9 in Evanston as past patron.
He was a member of the Cryptic Mason Council No. 13 in Jackson, Royal Arch Mason Commandry, past commander Lincoln Chapter No. 15, past high priest (Royal Arch Mason). He was a benefactor of the National Rifle Association; he served as past President of the Southwest Shrine Club of Evanston, and he was a charter member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 64 in Kemmerer.
He was a member of American Legion Post No. 50 in Kemmerer, and a member of the Korein Shrine Eusebius Conclave in Rawlins. John also served as a Red Cross constine. He served as a past Masonic Illustrious Master of Evanston Council No. 10, and in 2019 he was awarded the Mason of the Year for the southwest quadrant.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, and also attended college at the Montana School of Mines in Butte, Montana.
John is survived by beloved wife, Sue Eaton; daughter, Julie (Shawn) York; grandson, Ryan York; granddaughter, Abigail York; sister-in-law, Lois Eaton; nieces Joy Eaton, and Elisa Eaton.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Favre and Mary F. Eaton; a brother, Favre Eugene (Gene); a nephew, Robert Eaton; and a grandson, Johnathan Maxwell York.
Visitation will be held at Ball Family Chapel on Friday, March 11, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 12, at 2 p.m. at the Berta A. Penney United Memorial Methodist Church in Kemmerer. Interment will follow services at the South Lincoln Cemetery, Kemmerer, with military honors and Masonic graveside services. There will be a dinner provided at the church afterward.
As John would say, “Have a good one and keep smiling.”
