Dennis Wayne Eatman

Dennis Wayne Eatman, Sr., 70, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 14 after a prolonged battle with heart failure. His last days and weeks were turbulent, but he was surrounded by family and friends when it mattered most.

Dennis was preceded in death by his first love, Deborah Benton Eatman (d. 1986) and parents, Elvin (d. 1972) and Carrie (d. 1997). He was born in 1952 in Wilson, the youngest brother of Jerry and Mike. He was first married to Cassandra (Sandi) McVeigh (m. 1975) followed by Carol Eatman of Rocky Mount (m. 1988) and then Margo Keller of Seattle (m. 2010). Dennis leaves behind five children who were his pride and joy: Ed Eatman (Kirsten) of Richmond, Jon Eatman (Nicole) of Cedar Falls, IA, Justin Eatman (Sydney) of Wilson, Jess Eatman Lewis of Richmond, Mark Eatman of Atlanta, and granddaughter Kalla Eatman of Richmond. In addition to his uncle Thomas Eatman (Bonnie) of Charlotte, he also leaves behind countless cousins, nieces, and nephews in North Carolina and the Tampa Bay region of Florida.

Dennis graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1971 and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but due to the untimely death of his father, left college early to run the family business, Eatman Motor Company. With a strong entrepreneurial sprit and a fierce drive to make a success of himself and the business, he expanded into corporate leasing with Eatman Leasing as well as the rental car business with National Car Rental, keeping his main office on N. Church Street in Rocky Mount.

When Abbott Laboratories (later Hospira and now Phizer) first came to Rocky Mount, Dennis was was proud to play a part by flying his plane to retrieve urgent parts during their start-up phase, securing furniture for their first out-of-town employees, and leasing their first computers as well as other office equipment and vehicles over the years. The strong partnerships he built early on helped propel the the growth of his and other local business. Dennis always remembered those who gave him a chance.

A steady expansion of his business continued for more than 35 years, eventually growing to two locations in Rocky Mount (including RWI airport) as well as offices in Greenville, Southern Pines, New Bern, Kinston, Jacksonville, and Wilmington. He was the largest National Car Rental franchisee in the Eastern US before selling the business in 2008. While leading Eatman Leasing and the National Car Rental franchises, he served as a fleet advisor to General Motors (piloting his plane to Detroit many weeks) and was the longtime fleet director for the National Car Rental Licensee Association.

Dennis served on the board of directors of several companies, including First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Raleigh (formerly of Smithfield), Southern Bank of Mount Olive, and Steward Ventures of Phoenix. He served for years on the board of the Nash County Tourism Development Authority. Further, Dennis served as President of Benvenue Country Club from 2001-2002 and was instrumental in the funding and construction of the new clubhouse during his tenure.

Dennis was active in his Rocky Mount churches before moving to Seattle in 2010. He was on the finance and construction committees at Englewood Baptist Church where he helped push for the construction of their new location on Winstead Ave and was very close friends with Rev. Steve Lewis who preceded Dennis in death. He later joined First Baptist Church and was an active member there during his time in Rocky Mount.

Dennis was a striver. He wanted the best for his family and himself despite (and likely because of) his humble beginning. He loved the old school art of the deal, but even more, he loved people. He enjoyed lending a helping hand when people needed him. A phone call to Dennis would always result in quick action. He loved to pull strings.

It was not uncommon for him to play five rounds of golf in a week with his buddies. The folks at the bar knew his drink order when he came off the 18th hole. The same was true at the Angus Barn, where he would would frequently have a rollicking good time with friends over a cigar, martinis, and prime rib, much to the chagrin of his cardiologist. Like most of the Eatman clan, Dennis had a tremendous zest for life and he knew how to have fun and make people smile. He was always quick with stories or jokes, often met with heavy skepticism from his family who had heard them dozens of times before. When Dennis would pray with his family before meals, he would always ask God to give him patience. The lord never saw fit to do that during his time on Earth, but we’re confident he’s found it now! Those who knew him will surely miss him.

Cheers, Dennis.

The family will receive visitors at Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home in Wilson on Saturday, June 24 from 11am to noon, immediately followed by an intimate graveside service where Dennis will be laid to rest beside Deborah and his parents. A celebration of life will follow.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dennis’s care team in his final months, particularly the cardiac team at Duke Hospital and the hospice team at Transitions LifeCare. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Cir, Raleigh, NC 27607.