Roy Andrew Eaton

Roy Andrew Eaton passed away peacefully on Saturday January 14, 2017 at his home in Ft. Wayne, IN. He was 85. Roy was born on March 1, 1931 in Port Gibson, MS to Andrew Henry Eaton and Winnie Greer Eaton. He graduated from Port Gibson High School and Millsaps College in Mississippi, received his Divinity Degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta GA, and a Master Degree of Evangelism form Scarritt College in Nashville, TN. Roy served as a student pastor while at Millsaps and Emory. After returning from Emory he became a member of the Mississippi Methodist Conference where he served at Jackson Street in Brookhaven, Centreville Methodist Church and Richton Methodist Church. In 1968 he transferred to the Northern Indiana United Methodist Conference where he served First Wayne Street in Ft. Wayne, Faith in South Bend and First Church Chesterton. In 1989 he was appointed District Superintendent of the Marion District. Roy also served as a member of the Mississippi and Indiana Army National Guards where he obtained the rank of Major. In his capacity as Chaplain he ministered to many service personnel during the Vietnam War as well as officiated over (too) many Service Men's funerals. Roy was a faithful servant of Christ and a lover of God's creation taking many Church Youth groups on backpacking and camping trips. In addition, he led his family on many camping trips seeing all of North America while his daughters were home. In later life he traveled extensively with his wife throughout Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the British Isles. In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Helen Lewis Eaton, brother George Harris Eaton and son-in-law William P Hayes. Roy is survived by his wife Christine Fortenberry Eaton, daughters Suzanne McCool (Joseph) of Evansville, IN, Belinda Hayes of Warsaw, IN, Elizabeth Waller of Memphis, TN; Grandchildren Hunter Stover of Plainfield, IN , Alexandria McCool Wepfer (Joseph) of Clarksville, TN, Katherine Waller Frulla (Jeremy) of Memphis, TN, Abigail Stover of Indianapolis, IN, Margaret McCool (Corey Williams) of Raleigh, NC, Cameron Waller of Memphis, TN and Molly Stover of Bloomington, IN; three great-grandchildren Greer, Malcolm and Harris; Sisters Mary Ann Wade of Seminary, MS and Marie Logan (Ken) of Jackson, MS; step-daughters Jane Gonzalez of New York, NY, Sally North of Jackson, MS and Ann Taylor of Jackson, MS; along with many beloved nieces, nephews cousins and friends. The family would like to express their whole hearted appreciation to Heartland Hospice Care of Ft. Wayne and Camellia Hospice of Columbia, MS for the compassionate care they extended during his battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral service is 11am Saturday January 21, 2017 at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne Street with visitation one hour prior and Rev. Gregory Enstrom officiating. Visitation is also Friday, January 20, 2017 from 3pm to 7pm at First Wayne Street United Methodist. Interment will be at Lindenwood Cemetery Ft. Wayne, IN Memorials may be sent to First Wayne Street designated for youth camping ministries. Arrangements are being handled by DO McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home 1320 E Dupont Rd. Ft. Wayne, IN. To sign the online guest book, go to www.domccombandsons.com.