E. Burton Eubanks joined his Lord and our mother on May 17, 2022. A native of Dallas, Texas, he was a long-time resident of Austin, moving the family here in 1975 when he became the President of University Federal Credit Union. Dad turned eighty-six this past Christmas Eve and celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary in 2020 just before Mom’s passing. He is survived by daughters, Ellen Wood (Brian), Betsy Koelzer (Joe), Evelyn Page (Nick) brother, Ron Eubanks, grandson, Matthew Wood, granddaughter, Malissa Page, and great grandson, William Page, as well as extended family members across the country.
Dad was a man of great strength and character. His moral compass, his faith, and his strong belief in the importance of relationships guided decisions in all areas of his life from family to friends to work. He was an amazing pianist, playing both by sight as well as flawlessly by ear, often making up or enhancing melodies as he played. He and Mom would call us on our birthdays, and he would play, and they would both sing Happy Birthday. Sadly, that “piano by ear” gene skipped our generation.
The stories of Dad helping someone personally and professionally are legion. He was also the guy who never passed an elderly person or a woman of any age on the side of the road with car trouble. Many the time he pulled over to check and be sure someone was ok. As the father of three girls in a pre-cell phone era, he knew the risks and made it his mission to check on the welfare of others. He often said when a friend needs you, they need you right then and not when it’s convenient for you. He made a point to live that statement.
Dad had many professional successes, ending his career as the CEO of University Federal Credit Union having led the organization during a period of significant growth and expansion. He also volunteered his time generously, serving as President, Director or Chair at various points with organizations ranging from Junior Achievement (Austin,) Austin Diagnostic Clinic Foundation, The Better Business Bureau of Austin, Covenant Presbyterian Foundation, the World Computer User’s Association, as well as a lengthy list of Credit Union related positions ranging from CUES to CUNA to the Texas Association of Federal Credit Unions. He had a wall of plaques and thank yous from his various endeavors, but his favorite, and the only one he kept, was one he had made for our Mom, describing her as the Grand Prize in Matrimony.
Dementia took our Dad. He lost Mom during the early days of COVID and then spent another year completely locked down (ostensibly for his own safety.) It is no wonder his dementia accelerated. His death certificate won’t say COVID, but he is a victim as certainly as those who succumbed to it directly. I hope we can learn from the debacle of this pandemic and better balance the necessary protection of our fragile communities with critical need for human interaction when this happens again. And it will happen again.
As his daughter the things I am the most proud of are his kindness and fairness to others, his strong faith, and his belief in and leadership with strong family values. If you are reading this and you have lost your Dad, you know what it feels like. Now he lives on in an archive of our memories and in the way we live our own lives. I hope we can live up to his example.
We believe our parents are now together and in the presence of God. It can’t get better than that.
Mom passed during the period of COVID restrictions, and we were limited to a small graveside service. We have decided to celebrate the life of both our Mom and our Dad on Friday, June 10 at 10:30 in the morning at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive. Family and friends are invited. Please note the black 1937 Cadillac out front if you attend. Dad’s ashes will be making a final trip in that car in recognition for his lifelong love of Cadillacs.
Some have asked, and if you would like to contribute in their memory, Mom and Dad were both big supporters of the Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services, 5920 West Wm. Cannon, Bldg. 3, Ste. 100, Austin, TX 78749.
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