Douglas Eaton

Douglas T Eaton

1929 - 2020

Recommend Douglas's obituary to your friends
Share Your Memory of
Douglas

Obituary of Douglas T Eaton

Douglas Tennyson Eaton, 91, passed away Friday, October 2, 2020.

Doug was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, and lived the majority of his life in Northeast Minneapolis.

Starting young and continuing throughout his life, Doug spent much of his time at the library. He enjoyed scholarly pursuits and following his interests,. He could usually be found reading a book, newspaper, or magazine, and engaging in excited discussions with family and friends. As a youth, he trekked all over Minneapolis, Camden, Fridley, and Coon Rapids, to swim in water holes and ponds with friends, or hunt squirrels with his dad or sister. He biked to his grandparents’ farm in Dresser, Wisconsin by himself. He loved nature and science, once considering becoming a park ranger. He enjoyed cooking with his mother as well as his father, even making it into the local paper regarding this uncommon activity for boys at the time. He enjoyed popular culture, especially movies, and worked as a movie usher as a teen.

Doug served in the US Marines and Air Force, and later worked for the American Red Cross, traveling the country and the world, pursuing his scholarly interests everywhere he went. He served in Crete (Greece), and Okinawa (Japan). He loved language, and during his time in Crete, he learned to read the local newspaper. His family lovingly listened to his stories of these and nearby countries and cultures their entire lives.

While in the service, he met his wife, Pat, through their church’s pen pal program. They were married for 49 years, until her death in 2002.

After the military and Red Cross, Doug received his BA from the University of Minnesota in History, with a minor in Political Science. He became a social worker for the County of Anoka, retiring 30 years later. He had a passion for playing Bridge, and played with his Anoka County colleagues daily during lunch. For many years Doug and Pat were in a Bridge club with friends, meeting monthly at each other’s homes. Doug and Pat were both ardent feminists, and served in their DFL Party local ward unit as active, well-respected supporters, frequently bringing their daughters along to meetings, fundraisers, and activities.

Doug enjoyed cooking for his family, was an avid crossword puzzler, he loved swimming with his children at a local lake, and camping with the family when the kids were young. He would take his daughters on hikes, teaching them to also appreciate nature and science, like he did. He coached one of his daughters’ school softball team for several years, and cheerfully hauled his daughters everywhere they needed to go.

His knowledge of U.S. and World history and politics was astonishing. He was deeply thoughtful of current affairs and the impact of policies on the community. He was curious about everything, and he thrived on sharing his knowledge with others. He was a strong supporter of public radio and television, libraries, and improved access to comprehensive healthcare. He actively volunteered and worked to improve his community.

Most of his adult life, he read multiple newspapers every day, continually devoured books and magazines, and watched PBS or listened to NPR and MPR constantly. The last few years, he read “only” one or two newspapers per day, as well as his books, and continued to thrive on discussing history, current news, and politics with family.

He will be remembered for many things, but most of all his charm, his love of hot sauce and all foods tomato, his goofy phrases, his unruly and curly Einstein-like hair, his comfy plaid shirts, his dislike of ties, his dry humor and subtle but infectious laugh, his use of foreign sayings like “Yeboseyo” (Korean for answering the phone), his vast knowledge and curiosity, his quiet independent streak, and his gentle and kind heart.

Doug passed away peacefully with a cup of coffee by his side and the newspaper in his hands, with his beloved PBS television playing in the background.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Patricia (née Schjoll) Eaton; parents Chester and Hazel (née Hedner) Eaton; brothers Carroll (Anita) Eaton and Roger Eaton; he is survived by his loving daughters Sue Eaton, Marta (Charles) Kurak, and Sonja (Netra) Darai; four grandchildren Alisha (Cody Ringer) Kurak, Paige Kurak, Kiran Darai, and Roshan Darai; two great-grandchildren Zooey and Arlo; sister Delores (Harold) Davis; as well as nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed.

Memorials can be made to the St. Anthony Library, 2941 Pentagon Dr. Mpls, MN 55418.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Douglas
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cremation Society Of Minnesota | Minneapolis