Brigadier General Herbert “Barney” B. Eagon Jr. (Ret.), 84, of Worthington, passed away on May 23, 2023. He was born on May 14, 1939, in Akron, OH to the late Herbert Sr. and Mary (Smeck) Eagon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Eagon to whom he was married for 40 years; and his sister, Norma Jean Eagon.
Herb grew up on a farm in Delaware Ohio and attended Radnor Union School. He had many wonderful times in that community and developed a strong work ethic along with a love for his community and country. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, Company B, 166th Infantry, in 1956. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning GA in 1960 and he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from The Ohio State University in 1964.
His military career spanned 37 years within infantry units of the Ohio National Guard. He held positions including Company Commander, Battalion Commander, and his last assignment was Commanding General, 73rd Infantry Brigade (Separate). Throughout his military career, he earned many awards, including the Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit.
In addition to his military service, Herb started his career as a geologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; and then founded Eagon & Associates in 1976. For the next 40 years, Herb was a recognized authority on groundwater resources as he and his company provided consulting services for Ohio and surrounding states. The reputation Herb earned within the groundwater industry established a standard of excellence and professionalism that continues today. Even in retirement, he enjoyed regular updates on project work, new staff, and the families he helped support and watched grow through the years.
His love of hiking, the outdoors, and the family farm in Delaware Ohio brought Herb great joy throughout his life.
Herb will be greatly missed by his wife, Mary; daughter Jennifer (Christian) Braafladt and granddaughter Greta. Also mourning his loss is Herb’s sister Barbara Eagon Davids, niece Kathy (Joe) Crea, and nephew JD Davids, great nephews Stephen Crea, Drew Crea and great niece Angelisa Cable. Herb is also remembered with love and respect by Mary’s children and grandchildren.
Visitation for Herbert will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085 with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Radnor Township Cemetery, Radnor OH.
If you wish, donations to the following organizations can be made in Herb's memory.
Worthington Resource Pantry
https://www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/
Darby's Warrior Support
https://darbyswarriorsupport.org/
National Parks Conservation Association
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