Mark Eaton, 98, passed away on July 23, 2015 at Evergreen Community of Johnson County in Olathe, KS. Mark was born on October 1, 1916 in Galesburg, KS, to Lettie Viva (Umbarger) Eaton and Zarah Aaron Eaton, the seventh of ten children. He graduated from Chanute High School and Pittsburg State University.
Mark was a man of many interests, but he married his one true love, Mary Louise Whitfield on December 23, 1949 in Golden, Colorado. They were married 65 years.
Mark was active in community organizations in Santa Rosa, California including the Rotary Club of West Santa Rosa, Luther Burbank Masonic Lodge, Aahmes Shrine Temple, Sonoma County Shrine and the California Indians.
Prior to WWII, he taught in Winchester, KS, Chanute, KS and Oklahoma City. After serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII, Mark continued his career teaching and coaching at Golden High School in Golden, CO. He was the head football coach and had much success. His greatest success was touching the lives of many students who still remain in contact with Mark. Mark then had an opportunity to work for the Adolph Coors Company. In 1963, he bought the Coors Distributorship in Santa Rosa, CA where they remained until he and Mary retired to Las Cruces, NM. In 2010 Mark and Mary moved to the Kansas City area to be close to family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Jeff Eaton and wife Patricia, Lenexa, KS; daughter, Leslie (Eaton) Murray and her husband Patrick, Leawood, KS; and daughter, Jill (Eaton) Struck and her husband Tom, Lenexa, KS.
Seven grandchildren: Jana (Eaton) Blanchette and her husband James, Sudbury, MA; Amy (Eaton) Kroeker and her husband John, Lenexa, KS; Jeffrey Eaton, Jr. Oakland, CA; Jeffrey Murray and his wife Kay, Overland Park, KS; Katie Murray, Leawood, KS; Quinn Struck and Abby Jennerjohn, La Crosse, WI; Samuel Struck and his wife Kimberly, St. George, UT.
Twelve great-grandchildren: Lauren, Kelsey, Drew; Avery, Carson, Alex; Kamrynn; Jack; Logan, Abram, Henry, Miles. He was also loved by many nieces and nephews.
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