Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Gary Eugene Eaton, age 69, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday March 24, 2017, at his home. He was born November 27, 1947, in Mattoon, Ill., the son of Raymond Eaton and Loraine Osborn Eaton. Gary graduated from Mattoon High School and enlisted with the United States Navy, where he served onboard the aircraft carrier the U. S. S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. He married LaDonna Young in 1972. Following his discharge from the Navy, Gary moved to Fort Scott where he owned and operated the Silver Spur. He later worked for Auto Zone in Fort Scott as well as Nevada and Pittsburg. Gary was later employed as Parts Manager for Ray Shepherd Motors which later became Briggs Auto. He enjoyed playing pool and competed in many pool tournaments. He also liked to work on small engines and watch western movies and television shows. He also loved to spend time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his three children, R. D. Eaton and wife, Kasey, of Fort Scott, Tina Schilling and husband, Travis, also of Fort Scott and Becky Gorman and husband, Brian, of Goodyear, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Kaylee, Morgan, Natalie, Matthew, Taylor, Tabitha, Brooke, and Abagail. Also surviving are his former wife, LaDonna Cox, of Fort Scott; an aunt by whom he was raised, Jenny Lauter and her husband, David, of Mattoon, Ill.; a sister, Tina Bundrant, and a brother, David Harbour, both of Parris, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Following cremation, Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m.Wednesday, March 28, at the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.