Raymond John Eaton, 76
On April 19, 2021, Raymond John Eaton, husband, father and patriot, died at the age of 76 in Kalispell.
Raymond was born on Oct. 4, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to George and Evelyn (Bartezko) Eaton, and subsequently moved to California. He graduated from Carmel High School and attended Monterey Peninsula College.
Raymond worked at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Salinas, California, from the time he was 19 years old, until the plant permanently closed operations in 1980. He was then hired to manage the Salinas branch of Rain for Rent and was employed there for 26 years, before retiring to Kalispell in 2008.
A longtime resident of Monterey County, Raymond enjoyed community service, and could often be found behind a barbecue at local events. He was an active member of the Gonzales Rotary Club, and was instrumental in the launch of Trinity Day School in Gonzales, California.
Raymond was unique, and had a witty sense of humor. He enjoyed golf, fishing, playing cards and was a faithful fan of the San Francisco 49ers, dating back to their days at Kezar stadium.
He is survived by his wife, Susanna Paris Eaton; and children/stepchildren, Elizabeth Eaton Pickart (John), Matthew Eaton, Sybil Paris Noble, Michael McCord Noble, and David Benjamin Noble (Mor); grandchildren, Corinne Pickart, Mateo Eaton, Niko Eaton, and Theo Noble; his sisters, Evelyn and Sharon, and brother Robert; his nieces, Becki, Sarah, Meghan, Kathryn, and Kait; and nephews, Jon, Jeffrey, Shaylor, Niko, and John.
He was predeceased by his brother George “Dusty” Edward Eaton, mother Evelyn, stepfather Leonard Lewis Rhoades, and father George.
Ray would have wanted to thank Dr. Chris Gill and staff at Family Health Care for their years of kind and thoughtful attention to his medical needs.
In lieu of flowers, tree restoration donations to areas burned by the California wildfires can be purchased in Raymond’s behalf at “A Living Tribute,” or donations can be made to the Monterey County SPCA.
Funeral arrangements by Darlington Cremation and Burial Service in Kalispell.