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Gleason Eakin Obituary
Gleason Eakin
Feb. 14, 1933 - Nov. 17, 2022
Gleason Eakin was known throughout his lifetime for his generosity, kindness, counsel and mentorship to countless people. Gleason was born in in Clayton, New Mexico, to Lella and Marvin Eakin. He graduated from high school in Texas and moved to Oregon in 1953. He attended Oregon College of Education, where he excelled at football and tennis. He met and married JoAnn King while at OCE.
Gleason Eakin was a high school teacher and football coach in Oregon, teaching and mentoring students in Mill City, Willamina, and Lebanon. He completed his career in education at MHCC in Gresham.
Gleason was a true entrepreneur. He founded and served on the boards of numerous Oregon businesses. Along with his lifelong friend, Barry Adams, Gleason founded Cascade Sports Camp in 1969.
Gleason was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn King Eakin (1996). He is survived by his wife Barbara Steen Eakin, three children, three step-sons, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His passion later in his life was supporting families affected by Autism. He served on the board of the Forum Institute, which is a think tank specializing in special needs children. His primary interest was the Preconception to Infancy (P2i) Program. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Forum Inc., 17387 SW 63rd Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 or https://forump2i.com/donate-2/. Contributions may also be sent to the WOU Foundation: https://wou.edu/foundation/give-to-wou/.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 25 at 1pm, at The Red Shed, Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kimberly Finney Lackey
July 29, 2023
To: Gleason's wife and daughters, you have my condolences in the passing of Gleason. Jim Atkins #38, Jim Chapman #69, Gleason Eakin #77, Jake Finney #73, and Charles Harris #33, of Plainview, Texas, went to Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, Oregon, to play football in autumn 1953. They remained friends the rest of their lives while they lived in California, Florida, Oregon, and Texas. My father was Jake Finney, and Jim Atkins and Gleason Eakin, the two who survived my father, traveled to Plainview, Texas, for his funeral in 2015. It was solace to see them and visit. I have a wonderful old letter from Gleason that I found in my father's things.
JoyLynn Woodard
February 25, 2023
I worked with Gleason as his secretary for two years at MHCC on the early 80's and was the wife of Edwin Woodard. Gleason was a person friend of Ed's and called Ed "Brother Eddie," Not sure why but that was Gleason nickname for him. I am saddened that your dad is gone and we have lost a true friend and gentle man. I lost Ed in Nov. 2016. Gleason was such a soft spoken man and one that was always willing to concur the challenge to help anyone out if approached with a problem. I will miss knowing that he is not with us to ask for that most valuable advice that he always had. Rest in peace precious soul.
Cindi Peterson
February 25, 2023
Gleason was a significant influence in our family´s life in Lebanon, Oregon. My father, Don Carroll, coached with him and deeply admired him in many ways. I particularly appreciated his sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye ... he would tease me and, as a shy 5-6 year old, when I was fed up, the worst thing I could think of to say was "go eat dog food!" ... he really got a kick out of that and would bring it up whenever I saw him as an adult!
I am grateful for this whole family, their lifelong relationships with our family, and all of the good influences they have had on this world.
Peace be with you.
Cindi Peterson
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Mayho and Calvin Tanabe
January 17, 2023
We have known Gleason for only a few years but he was such a kind, gentle, magnanimous man that we felt we knew him for a lifetime. We will always remember a wonderful man and a life well lived.
Mayho and Calvin Tanabe
Susan Humphrey
January 4, 2023
Gleason worked together with my Parents and my Brother in the Autism Community. He was kind, generous wih his time and talents, and a great teacher. I have the highest respect for him and his Family.
Heaven got another Angel.
My Sincerest Condolences
Judi McDaniel
December 12, 2022
When Gleason lived in Willamina he was my next door neighbor and he was a great teacher. He will be missed.
Roberta Andrus
December 4, 2022
Gleason was our neighbor. Always helpful and cared for others. We remember Kirby the Corgi and kept him when Gleason was away. Our condolences to his family. Roberta Andrus
Skip Endres
November 28, 2022
My four high school years at Willamina were made better by Coach Eakin. He was a big influence in my life during these times. I am certain that many of the accolades and college football offers were more as a result of his promoting me rather than my abilities. I visited him once about 15 years ago. When we talked I mentioned how he was pretty rough on players at times. He said that he had mellowed out over the years and realized he could get more out of players by other methods. One of my great memories was as a senior he appointed me as Captain of our football team for homecoming. The Captain got to crown and kiss the homecoming princess and I caught the winning touchdown pass. It didn't seem like such a big deal then but the memory of that night is like a movie. I have thought of him often over the years.
Chuck & Phyllis Burns
November 20, 2022
So many memories! My husband and I both knew him, hubby from Gleason´s athletic endeavors and me from being a student at Santiam High School class of 1959. Gleason came to many of our class reunions of which we held at Camp Cascade.
Or class loved this man who somehow was nicknamed "Slick" and how he came by that moniker
, I do not know.
He guided a lot of us in helping to shape our lives and his words of wisdom has carried us into our golden years. There is not a gathering of our group where his name is not brought up and an incident not laughed at. I, for one thought the world of him.
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