I just saw this for the first time and learned of Jeff’s passing. I was his first wife Nancy. We were high school sweethearts & started “going steady” in the 8th grade. I didn’t miss a cross country meet or basketball game—he was the jock & I was a cheerleader. We married shortly after high school—just kids & had our first kid—a Boston Terrier Mitzi. His parents Don & Carolyn were the best. He was serious about sports, education and life. My condolences to his family especially Derek’s family.

He was my vice principal at FTMS and will never forget him!!!!MR EATON!!!!is what he liked.

Mr Eaton was my 5th grade teacher at Wanamaker as well. He moved up to the Middle School to be VP the same year as our class did and I remember being so relieved that I’d have a “friend” in the office. He was my favorite teacher of all time, and It’s cool how every tribute I’ve read portrays him in an identical way. He was the perfect balance between a strong leader, mentor, and friend. A true educator, always striving for those around him to succeed. Rarely seen without a big smile, he was funny, firm, kind, and serious all at once! I learned lots in his class but more from him about life. One of my favorite things was staying in from recess so he could teach us how to play chess. The world lost one of the great ones! My condolences to the Eaton family.

I met Jeff a little over a decade ago through my best friend Raymond. I was basically grand daughtered in with all of the retired golfing guys, but they didn’t treat me any differently. We had many rounds of golf and discussions of course management. He always wanted to have a great round, but he wanted everyone else to as well. We had Super Bowl parties with pizza, soda, and lots of laughs. I watched his cats for him while he was out of town, and enjoyed a cat in my lap with every visit to Jeff’s. He was always encouraging for anything a person might be undertaking. No matter what he might be going through, he was always there for you. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the family and friends whom he touched. Rest in peace my friend.

Me and my 5th grade class at Wanamaker Elementary were lucky enough to not only have him as our teacher but also as our Principal at FTMS the following school year (FCHS Class of 1990). He was always my favorite teacher. So cool. He made learning fun. Prayers for all who loved him. He will be missed.

Both of our daughters Jessica and Chelsea attended Acton elementary with Jeff as their principal. When the intermediate school opened we were blessed that Chelsea was with him for 2 more years. I remember how he knew each student by name and treated each of them as special. We are so saddened by this news and know he will be deeply missed. We are extremely thankful for the positive impact he had on our family. May God continue to bless your family. The Engle’s

My wife, Sarah, and I were deeply saddened to hear of Jeff's passing. Our prayers go out to his family, as I know he will be greatly missed.

Jeff was my step-dad growing up, and helped care for and raise me and my brother. He was my dad in every sense of the word, as my biological father lived in a neighboring state. He loved me and my brother as his very own, and we have some wonderful memories of traveling, playing sports, and laughing together. Jeff was so fun and was often the life of any get together!

In my teens and into adult life, he became someone I sought for counsel and advice, and in sharing my biggest accomplishments. He championed me in living out a godly life and in my challenging pursuit for a relationship with my biological father. He was a man who encouraged me in the hardest of times, and regularly reminded me of the grace God has shown me and all who call Him our Savior. Jeff inspired me to give back to community as he did in his later years, showing care and kindness to others. I know I'll see Jeff again one day in Heaven, and anticipate the day to continue loving discussions of how great our God truly is, for which I am most thankful!

Jeff was a blessing to have as a friend! He was a wonderful,kind,and caring man . When he came to Wanamaker Elem.,I was his fifth grade mentor. Later he became my boss at Kitley. We coached intramurals together and I treasure the memory of me carrying a flour sack to mark the old cinder track off ( just as he told me ). He loved teaching and sharing the game of chess with all. What a great legacy he has left for so many of us !

Barb Yensel

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Jeff. He was my nephew, his father Don and I shared the same father. We moved from Indiana in May 1965. Don, Caroline, and Jeff were at my parents in Frankfort when their house in Russiaville was destroyed by a tornado. Unfortunately we have only seen Jeff a few times since then because of the distance we were separated.

The last time we were together was at my brothers birthday celebration and Jeff and Caroline were there with Jeff's granddaughter

with promises to stay in touch, we were not aware if he had any health conditions. I am sorry that I cannot attend the service because of the distance. One of the things discussed at that birthday parts was that Jeff had done some genealogy on the Eaton family and so has my daughter Denise. They were going to compare notes but I don't think that ever happened. So I am not aware if Jeff knew that there are lots of our people (Eatons) buried in the New Bethel cemetery on Southeastern Ave. If any of the family is interested, I can best be contacted thru my brother Ted and with the help of my daughter we can compare notes on the Eaton family.

RIP Jeff

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My condolences to the family. Mr. Eaton was one of my 5th grade teachers at Wanamaker elementary in ‘82/83. I remember him fondly. He had the best smile.

We were neighbors of Jeff’s on Sunglow for about 27 years. Jeff was a very nice neighbor and we are saddened by his sudden passing.

Leonard & Brenda Stringer

Sending prayer to his family. Mr. Eaton was my principal from 1st through 5th grade at Acton Elementary and I was the first year 6th grader to attend kitley with him. He was a great man and will forever be apart of some of my best childhood memories.

I was fortunate enough to call Jeff Eaton my boss and friend. In a 33 year career, he was the best principal I worked for, a real pleasure every single day. He supported his teachers and truly cared about the kids. I am sad to hear he is gone. My condolences to you, Eaton family. The slide show demonstrates how close you all are, and I am so sorry you’re going through this. You can be so proud.

Rebecca Noot

I was lucky enough to serve under Jeff at Kitley when it opened. He was a true leader. He cared about students and teachers and led his own chess club while he ran the school. He was a great principal to all activities, be they athletic or the fine arts. He will be greatly missed.

Debbie French-Allbright

Mr. Eaton was my principal 5th through 8th grade. He started a chess club during my 5th grade year and ran it all four years. He’s the one that taught me how to play chess, a game a still enjoy today. He was such a great man and I’m so sad to hear of him passing. His family will be in my prayers!

My condolences to his family and friends. My first attempt here was more eloquent so if this is the second, my apologies.

Mr Eaton was with my children about 8 years maybe 9. His impact was long lasting. I was a protective parent and interviewed all of the elementary school Principals to base where to buy a home. I met with Mr Eaton and had a house in the Acton Elementary district within months. We still own the home 26 years later. I think of him fondly as I pass the school grounds still. I volunteered in the school regularly and could see the teachers happy with their administrator. My sons still play chess, and one assists and coaches the FC high school Cross Country teams. He set the bar high for all subsequent educators my sons had, some fell short, some didn’t. The attitude and tone he set in their Elementary years shaped my sons. Mr Eaton led them both to successes many years after the schooling. We appreciate all of the memories and things he was instrumental with in their lives. Thank you to the family for sharing him with all of us. Blessings to your family on behalf of the Carr family; Gary, Nancy, Garrison and Griffin.

Mr. Eaton was an incredibly formative part of my education - as I am sure he was for so many others, as well. I remember one memory particularly fondly - I never got called to the office, and one day, after an accident at recess, I got called down and asked about what happened, due to the nature of the accident. I was petrified, because I hadn't done anything wrong, I just got knocked down and happened to land on someone else. Mr. Eaton was quick to soothe my panic, helping me to become calm before we talked about the situation. He always had a smile, and even after I was an older student - and then an adult - he remembered my name. That sort of person is rare, and that sort of action sticks to one's memories.

He will be missed. I hope he knew just how impactful his career was on so many young lives.

Once an ACTON TIGER, always an ACTON TIGER!

Mr. Eaton was my principal for Wanamaker, and believe for ftms I can’t really remember… but I was so blessed to have him. I was having issues being bullied, and he was the biggest support I ever had when came down to bullies. He had so supportive and so caring. Prayers for his family through this rough time.

Jeff was a dear friend after his retirement, and I will miss him greatly for many reasons but specifically his knowledge of baseball

and his CUBS…..

Walt

I remember his love for chess, in middle school he would take on any challenger during lunch. He taught us many thing including we live our lives like a game of chess. Pieces move across the board like time but how you make the move determines the future. Like he always said “make it a great day or not the choice is yours” and I %100 believe he made everyday a great day not just for himself but for everyone he loved.

I was blessed to have Mr. Eaton as both my principal and boss. He was my principal at Acton and my boss at Kitley for 2 years. He cared about his students and staff. I learned so many things from him.

My sister and I both attended Acton 20 and 25 years ago where he was our Principal. He made learning so much fun. He will be greatly missed!

Mr. Eaton was our Principal at FTMS. He was a kind-hearted man with a loving spirit. He always looked for the good in others. Students and staff alike respected and loved him. Part of his legacy is that he gifted those whose paths he crossed with hope and possibilities. He never gave up on people. Mr. Eaton was a true educator.

My condolences to the family. He was my principal at Acton. I was so sick at school once he called my mom himself and took me home because it was quicker than waiting for her to come get me. I don’t remember any other principle I ever had but him. He was the best.

Jeff has been our neighbor for the past ten years and it has been an honor to have known him. We will miss seeing him coming and going and it will not be the same around here without him. Jeff never spoke a bad word about anybody and always friendly and respectful. We will miss you Jeff.

I had Mr Eaton as a teacher for one of my classes at Wanamaker Elementary. I can honestly say he was my favorite and the best teacher I ever had. He was an amazing role model and the reason I went to college to become a teacher. Thank you for everything Mr Eaton. You will be missed by so many.

Condolences to his family I so remember him from my time at wannamaker elementary (John Brothers)

I had the fortunate experience of getting to to Jeff from coaching his son, Derek, in cross country at Ben Davis. Mr. Eaton was the ideal cross country parent for me being a young coach. He was a friend, role model, and a running strategist who made me think about coaching runners by getting to know them on a higher level.

Derek has been my friend, colleague, and principal. His wife, Amy, was our team manager and a friend of mine for 28 years.

Knowing Jeff and his influence has only made me a better person. All my best to his family.

Mr. Eaton was my 5th grade teacher at Wanamaker Elementary in 1980. Hands down, he was the best teacher I ever had. He connected so well with students and went above and beyond all expectations of excellence in the classroom. I am sure there are countless former students who feel the same. Mr. Eaton was an amazing mentor and role model for the thousands of students who were fortunate enough to cross paths with him.

Jeff was my principal for two years at East MS. He was a great guy and a awesome principal! He trusted his teachers, showed great respect for teachers, and joked around with us as well. I am glad I knew him.

Mr. Eaton was the AP at FTMS when I was a student there. He was a great AP. Many yers later when my own children were at FTMS East where he was Principal, I was on the PTC. I was at the school a lot because of that volunteer position and had a chance to talk with him a lot. He finally told me, “Kellie, I think we’re way past Mr. Eaton, call me Jeff” I told him I just couldn’t do it. He would always be Mr. Eaton to me. But I sure appreciated him and respected him

Jeff was the principal of my very first teaching job! He was an amazing man...kind, understanding, helpful, there to listen or offer help when needed and much, much more! He truly made me love my choice of teaching!! What an amazing man!! He left an amazing legacy as well! RIP, Jeff! You will be missed very much!

Jeff was my principal at Acton Elementary for many years and fondly remember these days as the Camelot years of my teaching career. He expected the best of his staff and students and we lovingly gave him just that.

Pretty sure Jeff was the first non family member to hold our brand new baby, Flora back in August 2008. I knew Jeff through my husband, Jason Wade, who worked with him at Kitley. Jeff was a great educator and mentor for kiddos. He will be missed by many.