Kenneth Roy Eason Sr.

1922 - 2014

Eason Sr, Kenneth Roy 05/28/1922 ~ 09/24/2014 CHULA VISTA -- Ken passed on the morning of September 24th in the loving company of his family and caregivers at the age of 92 years young. He was born on May 28, 1922 on a farm in rural Texas near Vernon, the youngest of five children born to Fred and Vadie Eason. Fred was a cowboy and farmer. Around the age of two, the family moved to Vernon where his dad worked for a utility company. Ken attended Vernon High School where he was a pretty good student and graduated in 1940 with honors. In his senior year he captained and led his basketball team in scoring as a 6'4" center and was voted to the All-League Team. In the spring he teamed with his pal, Paul Albright, to win the tennis Doubles Championship in the District Tournament and proceeded to the round of 16 in the State Tournament. In the summer of 1940, he hitchhiked to Denton, TX and earned a basketball scholarship at North Texas State Teachers College. He lettered two years on League Championship teams, one of which went to the National Inter- collegiate Tournament and won 3rd place. During his second year in college the nation changed drastically with World War II. He joined the Naval Reserve Officer Program and attended Midshipmen School at Columbia University in New York. Commissioned an Ensign, he reported to the Amphibious Forces and was assigned to a LCI (Landing Craft Infantry), a ship that could carry about 250 soldiers for amphibious landings. Ken spent two years in the Pacific, most of it spent in several island landings including Leyte Gulf, Ormac Bay, Mindora, Cebu and lastly the recapture of Luzon in the Philippines. When the war ended in August 1945, his group of LCI's was assigned to escort the cruiser with the Admiral in Command on board, to Shanghai. They acted as a floating mine screen for the Admiral's ship. In January 1946 he took command of the LCI 978 at Saipan Island and navigated to Hawaii, Los Angeles, through the Panama Canal to New Orleans where he was released from active duty. Ken stayed in the Naval Reserve and retired in 1984 as a Lieutenant Commander. During his time in the Naval Reserve he was the Commanding Officer of the Reserve Surface Division 11-41 for four years. Ken came to California in 1946 and met his future wife, Jacquelyn Richardson in San Bernardino. They married in 1947 and moved to San Diego where Ken enrolled at San Diego State Teachers College (now San Diego State University). He graduated in 1949 with his Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Credential. They moved to Chula Vista where he taught at Chula Vista Jr. High for 17 years and Bonita Vista Jr. High for 14 years. Ken retired in 1980 after 31 years of service in the Sweetwater Union High School District. He considered it a great honor to serve the students of Chula Vista and their parents. In retirement, Ken remained active playing tennis with his doubles partner Ralph Skiles against Russ Vance and Lloyd Watson. Additionally, he enjoyed meeting monthly with about 20 other retired educators. Known for being a good dancer, he stayed fit dancing 2 to 3 times a week enjoying it very much. At the time of his passing Ken was living at his home of 49 years on Nolan Avenue in Chula Vista. Jacquelyn, his wife of 55 years passed on in 2002. Together they created four children, Kenneth Jr. (deceased), Ted, Julie and Donald. He raised his children with integrity, patience, understanding and love. Always gracious in the company of others, Ken especially enjoyed the many friendships established throughout his 66 years in CV. He will be fondly remembered and missed dearly by everyone who had the fortune to spend time with him. He was truly an extraordinary gentleman. Ken is survived by his children: Ted (Alice), Julie (Tim), and Donald; grandchildren: Brianna, Brittany, Celine, Evan, Monique and Tyler; and great-grandchildren: Michael and Anthony (Brianna), Abigail (Celine), Christine and Michael (Monique). In respect of his wishes, a memorial service, with the immediate family, was held on October 13, at Glen Abbey, Bonita, CA.