James Eastham Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
JAMES DANA EASTHAM James Dana, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2006, at 75. He was a family man, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a coach, friend, Christian, athlete, civic leader-our hero. He will be missed. His limitless generosity, his pragmatic counsel, his dry sense of humor and his absolute love for family and friends will always be cherished. Dana was born in Boston, Mass, raised in Andover, Mass, and received his undergraduate degree at Brown University (Economics), his Masters at Boston University (Public Relations). After marrying native Mariettan Merrilyn Nolen Welch, Dana made this area his home. Dana and Merrilyn raised five children, James Lee Eastham, Merrilyn Welch Eastham Burt, Dana Nolen Eastham, Pearson Hill Eastham and Stephen Saville Eastham. He was a loving grandfather to his twelve grandchildren, Elizabeth, Dana, Jamie, Samantha and Wesley Burt, Stephanie Bearden, Pearson, Jessica Hembree, Patrick, Nora, Liam and Ana; and his four great-grandchildren, Isaac and Aidan, Tristan and Logan. He is also survived by his two brothers, Bill and Jack Eastham, and sister, Nancy Eastham Iacobucci. Dana was a tireless, dedicated civil servant, who committed himself to the development and growth of Marietta. He truly gave his all, unconditionally, and had a profound impact on the entire community. His contributions to the area leave a legacy that will never be forgotten. As Mayor of Marietta for 8 years (1974-1982), and City Councilman for 8 years, Dana immersed himself in the growth of our community. Noted accomplishments include the establishment of MEAG, the establishment of Marietta's first City School bus system, and the re-establishment of the Downtown Marietta Development Authority. Dana completed the Marietta loop underpass, and led the development and building of a new City Hall. He rekindled our dormant Sister City program, personally developing relationships with our international neighbors. He was honored as Outstanding Rotarian and also a recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Award by the Marietta Rotary, recognizing service above self and his dedication of over 40 years of perfect attendance. Over half a century, he served completely: Chairman of the City Council's Education Committee; Steering Committee member of the National League of Cities; Chairman of the Marietta Board of Lights and Water; board member of the Downtown Marietta Development Authority; Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Georgia Municipal Association; member of the Atlanta Regional Commission; Chairman of the Board of the Cobb County Emergency Aid Association; board member of the Cobb County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Chairman of the Education-Funds Crusade, receiving the Outstanding Service Award; board member of the Visiting Nurse Association; recipient of an Honorary Service Award from the United States Treasury Department; Chairman of the YWCA Advisory Board; member of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce; Secretary of the Marietta Citizens' Advisory Committee; charter member and Treasurer of the Kennestone Hospital Guild; member of the Cobb County Board of Health, the Marietta Community Symphony and Cobb County Arts Council; President of the Allgood School PTA; Vice-President of the Western League (Little League), and coach for many, many years. Dana was a reverent man, a member of Marietta's First United Methodist Church for 52 years, a member of the Chancel Choir for most of those, Board Member, President of the Methodist Men's Club, charter member and first President of the Jack Aaron Sunday School class, Chairman of the Commission on Education, and charter member and first co-Chairman of the Kindergarten Board. Dana also was a businessman, working at Lockheed for over 15 years, and owner/President of Eastham Data Processing Company for 25 years. Dana was an extraordinary athlete. At Brown University, he was captain of the wrestling team, and elected to the Brown University Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was further honored by being chosen as one of Brown University's "100 Greatest Athletes of the Century". He became National Champion at the 1956 YMCA National Wrestling Championships. While in the US Army from 1955-1957, he was selected to the prestigious All-Army Wrestling Team, and became First Alternate on the 1956 US Olympic Graeco-Roman Wrestling Team. He was an avid mountain climber, scaling many of the tallest peaks in the Northeastern and Western US, and England. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2006, at 10:30 am, at the First United Methodist Church in Marietta. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6-8 pm, at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Silver Bay Association, 87 Silver Bay Lane, Silver Bay, NY, 12874; or the First United Methodist Church Music program, 56 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, GA 30064.
Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Mar. 27, 2006.