Thomas Wilson Eatmon

ANDERSON - Tom lived in Anderson, CA with the love of his life, Catherine for the past 45 years. Tom and Cathy were married for 63 years, beginning their life together in Oklahoma soon after Tom's honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, where he was a Petty Officer and Radar Instructor.
His favorite position in life was to be the very best husband, father and friend to all mankind.
Everything Tom ever did, he did with a big heart. His big heart gave out Monday, July 27, 2009 very unexpectedly.
Tom and Cathy have 5 children. Just before the 5th child was born, Cathy told Tom right when her labor started that she wasn't coming home until Tom installed an indoor toilet. No more outhouse! When Cathy arrived home ,she had her indoor toilet.
Tom always worked very hard and did everything in his power to provide for the needs of his family. Such as helping rebuild cars, building a barn, assisting Cathy with endless hours of volunteer service for the Chamber of Commerce and Boy Scout Leader, helping build cars for the Soap Box Derby and Quarter Midgets and helping his grandson rebuild a 1967 Mustang.
He took long trips across the country vacationing with all 5 children. Many years later, he and Cathy would load up the grandchildren and travel up the Oregon Coast; or go on extended trips from Anderson all the way to Illinois, taking time to stop along the way to let the kids play and discover.
Tom was only 5'8" tall yet all that knew him thought he was 10 feet tall. He was a man of his word. He was a man of few words, however, when he spoke, people listened. He would only enter into conversation with carefully chosen words. He was an avid reader and had read the Bible over 10 times. He lived his life by asking himself everyday "What would Jesus do?". He had a voracious appetite to learn all he could every day.
He completed his formal education as a high school graduate. The rest of his life was committed to learning advanced mathematics, science and history. He could repair or build anything including his airplane.
Tom retired from Simpson Paper Company, where he was a Digester Operator. Retirement agreed with Tom. He loved to watch youth football and Anderson High football games. In 1999, he helped create a new football field at Anderson High School. He was awarded a Gold Pass card for lifetime complimentary admission to all the games.
Tom and Cathy shared a very special love. Rarely were they apart and their commitment to each other was beautiful to all who knew them.
Tom will be missed every day and the example in which he lived each day will be in the hearts of all who knew him.
Happy Graduation Day Tom! You are now with your Lord and Savior, your parents, grandson Issac, sister June and so many more.
Tom's Celebration of Life Ceremony will be Monday, August 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Neighborhood Church of Anderson and Cottonwood, 4684 Rhonda Rd., Anderson, California. Burial service will follow at the Northern California Veteran's Cemetery in Igo, California.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Cathy; sister, Frankie of Texas, daughter, Marlys Eatmon of Olivehurst, CA; sons, Rod (Jana) of Oklahoma, Brad (Kim) Eatmon of Rocklin, CA, Mark (Barbara) Eatmon of Anderson, CA, and Tom (Jean) Eatmon of Anaheim, CA; grandchildren, Abraham Eatmon, Oklahoma, Brandon (Musetta) Eatmon of Chico, CA, Katy Eatmon of LaJolla, CA, Jeremiah Eatmon of Rocklin, CA, Amanda (Sean) Martin of Mission Viejo, CA, Bobby Eatmon of Napa, CA, Elizabeth (Derrick) Nessenbaum of Eureka, CA, and Jeffrey Eatmon of Anaheim, CA; and great-grandchildren, twins, Tyler and Devon Eatmon of Chico, CA and Noah Martin of Mission Viejo, CA