Raymond (Ray) Everett Eaton, 86, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011, in Burlington, Washington.
He was born on October 17, 1925 in Winona, Kansas, the son of Joseph T. and Frederica A. (Holdforth) Eaton.
In 1936, the family moved west, settling near La Conner, Washington. Ray graduated from La Conner High School with the class of 1943. He later served as a Tec 4 in the U. S. Army, stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska.
On October 15, 1949 he was united in marriage to Barbara J. Handy at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
The couple had a dairy farm east of Sedro-Woolley. Ray did custom hay baling for many years in the area. He was known for his ability to get his hay in without getting rained on. After 37 years, Ray retired and he and Barbara moved to town in 1991.
Ray was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Sedro-Woolley. He was a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus North Cross Council, serving 4 times as Grand Knight and many times as Deputy Grand Knight over the years. You could see him every 4th of July working in the K of C hamburger stand, and at the monthly Steak Fries. He also belonged to the Mount Vernon Elks, the Sedro-Woolley American Legion and the Fredonia Grange.
Ray was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by many.
He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Davis, of Sedro-Woolley; grandson, Brian Davis and his wife Caroline and their children, Katie, Erin and Connor, all of Big Lake; granddaughter, Beth (Davis) Hampton and her husband Christopher, and their son, Jesse, of Woodbridge, Virginia; 3 brothers, Ralph Eaton and his wife Phyllis, of Shelton, Washington, Earl Eaton, of Ogden Utah and Wayne Eaton, of Mount Vernon; 3 brothers-in-law, Howard Handy and his wife Clarissa, Kenneth Handy and his wife Dorothy and Robert Handy and his wife, Burnette and 2 sisters-in-law, Virginia Handy and Carol Handy, all of Sedro-Woolley and his very special friend, Florence Walton, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara; infant son, Douglas; sisters, Evelyn Libby, Elaine Miller and Evanna Hutcheson and his brother, Ross Eaton.
A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm at Lemley Chapel with a Funeral Mass to be held on Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Father James Dalton, Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. A time of visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel from 9-5 on Wednesday and Friday, and by appointment on Saturday.
I haven’t seen Ray too much in these later years, but remember him from Hign School. We used to run together on the LaConner track team. I don’t think we ever won but we had fun trying!!
Marj and family,
We were saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. A nicer man we have never met. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Pat & Dale
Marj, Brian, Beth, and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Ray was such a warm, kind man. He was a pleasure to be
around.
Marj-Brian, do you remember the potato patch than Scott and Brian planted. What a time
we had digging, cleaning, and selling potatoes. Ray was right there in the middle guiding
us along. Those memories, and many more, will never be forgotten.
Ray was a kind and genital man, a fellow knight, who could always be relied on . ray served his god, country and community well. surely a blessed man. thanks ray. k.o.h
Uncle Ray will be missed so much by Frank and I. He often asked about my dad (Duane Bretvick), as they both went to high school in LaConner. He and Dad would gab at get-togethers at our house for our little family celebrations. Dad had a few fun stories about Ray when they were in high school, especially about running around the track in LaConner. Ray kept the same pace the whole time, Dad would pass him up often, however he said Ray always finished his run. Said he was good in other sports too. Marj, I always enjoyed that our dads knew eacth other before we were born! Frank has many other memories of Uncle Ray too. He was a great man. I have fun early memories of fireworks at Uncle Ray’s farm, that was a blast! We are planning to come to the rosary tonight, as we are unable to make the funeral service. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers without fail. Love Lynn & Frank
Ray & Barb were witnesses at our wedding. The witnesses we had first engaged were unable to be there for us. So, we enlisted Ray and Barb; Ray was milking his cow. When that was finished, they changed their clothes and off to the parsonage we went. That was 59 plus years ago. We loved them both. Our love to Marj and family. Kenny & Dorothy
Grandpa Ray I will miss you greatly. Your treated me as your own grandkid and always made my day when I could make you giggle or laugh. Your absence will always be felt but your memory will live forever with us and the kids.
Marj and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a very special person. He was always so kind and generous. I always felt at home at his house. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to know him. Marge
Ray, you will be so missed. Seeing you at the steak frys and working in the hamburger stand., you were no one to say NO and always there for everyone. Marj, thank you for sharing sure a wonderful person with your friend. Please remember the time you had together, and it really does get easier with time. Love JR and Sharon.