John Harold Gilmer Eason

He attended several grade schools and high schools in Tulsa, Amarillo, and San Antonio, following the career relocations of his father who was a CPA in the petroleum industry. As a boy he attempted to join the French Foreign Legion, while as a teenager he sailed one Summer as stoker aboard the steamship, SS Baron Elgin. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BSc. in Chemistry in 1944 and a BSc. in Chemical Engineering in 1948.

John and Marjorie Ruth Wier Eason were married on October 13, 1945 in Austin at All Saints Episcopal Church by Father Harte. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on October 13, 2020.

John and Marjorie raised their three children in Venezuela where they lived for eight years during the 1950’s, and where John worked in the Petroleum Industry. While in Venezuela John worked mostly in gas processing and gas conservation, along with some drilling and exploration. Upon the family’s return to the USA, he continued to work in the petroleum industry, primarily in project management.

Upon retirement, they moved to Georgetown, Texas, later to Austin, Texas, and lastly to Westminster retirement community in Austin. They enjoyed sharing their mutual interests of travel on six continents, reading, bridge, ballroom dancing, classical and baroque music, ballet, and opera.

Their travels encompassed 40 years of adventures around the world beginning with camping in the American West. After exploring much of America they expanded their circle of travels to include every continent of the world from Canada to South America and Antarctica, and from Europe to Africa to East Asia and Australia. Their enjoyment of exploring new lands and becoming acquainted with people from many cultures took them on 80 adventures, 40 of them overseas into 73 countries.

Preceding John in death are his precious, loving wife, Marjorie Ruth Wier Eason and their daughter, Captain Marion Elizabeth Eason (USMC); Marjorie’s sister, Marion Wier DeFord and their honored friend, Colonel William James Gregory (USAF); their very dear friends of 64 years, Russell and Joan Hollier; and his closest cousin with whom he grew up together like brothers, Lieutenant Fredrick M Warren, MD (USN).

He is survived by their son, John Eason and his wife, Evelyn McMahon Eason, their son Erik Eason, their daughter’s former husband, Lt. Colonel Richard Souder (USMC) and his wife Elaine Deal Souder, and three grandsons, Alexander Eason, Adam Eason and his partner Sherry Ahlstrom, and Dr. Andrew Eason and his wife Laura Gold Eason.

John was an engaging, fascinating, loyal and loving husband, father, and friend; ever curious about almost any topic you could imagine. He was a courageous presence with a heart of gold who instilled the family with its traditions and stories and a fascination with the world, and who shared in our joys and always had our backs which gave us the courage to dare.

John and Marjorie shared 75 beautiful years of marriage; they were deeply in love and best friends. He loved his three children and were their close friends throughout his life. He was loved and his company enjoyed by so many family and friends. He will be deeply missed for the rest of our days.

John, with his loving son Erik by his side holding his hand, passed away on April 3, 2024 at 5 Bells in the Afternoon Watch, which is 2:30pm. We invite the reader to learn of nautical time and join John in his lifelong love of ships and the sea; and trains, always trains; and of course, dogs.

May God, our Heavenly Father and Creator, Bless him with His love and eternal salvation in Heaven, and to reunite him and his beloved Marjorie in the Hereafter. Amen.

In memory of John Eason, contributions can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P. O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or www.mdanderson.org/gifts; or to Texas Children’s Hospital, https://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/ways-to-give/make-a-gift/give-in-tribute/.