E. Neal Eaton, Jr., 57, of St. Petersburg, FL died Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Bay Pines VA Health Care System.
Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, he moved here from Illinois in 1978. He was a licensed practical nurse and landscaper. He also worked for Nielsen Media Network. He was a member of King of Peace MCC, St. Petersburg and a US Air Force veteran. He enjoyed cooking, entertaining, gardening, floral arranging, and traveling. He was devoted to his dog, Rocky, and his cat, Millie.
Survivors include his partner, Lindley Becker of St. Petersburg, FL; his father and stepmother, E. Neal and Sally Eaton of Bradenton, FL; two sisters, Jane Eaton-Henderson of Quality, KY and Nancy Fritz of Cedar Lake, IN; four nieces, Shannon Henderson, Cory Parlor, Ashley Wisniewski, and Lindsy Sellers; and two great-nephews, Camden and Colton Parlor.
A memorial service was held at 1pm on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made to any local food pantry for the needy or a local animal shelter.
Arrangements by Veterans Funeral Care.
Neal is a cherished, irreplace friend of our entire family. He’ll always hold a very special place in our hearts. His imaginative hosting, his creative bent, his compassion for all “things great and small” was nothing short of God given. Neal has left us much too soon-but he had time to offer all of his good-byes to his remarkable circle of love. The love that he gave mattered to SO many–and it is that love that transcends any differences. He was an incredibly special man…and I am proud to have been his friend. Rest well, sweet dear-you’ve earned it. We deeply love you. God will make you whole. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Wade Kay and Larry and our Lara
Neal was a remarkable person and will be greatly missed. He had such a wonderful smile! Our love and prayers are with you.
Barb Holcomb and
Shirley Townsan
I am the coordinator for congregational care at King of Peace and visited with Neal often. We all loved him and will deeply miss him. He was always willing to do whatever he could to assist in worship even give communion. We love you and miss you.
Jim
I knew Neal for 40 yrs and was truly blessed by this long friendship. Though the selfish part of me cannot imagine him not being with us, I rejoice that he is whole and free again, that, as he told me, he was “ready to go,” and that I will see him again some day. He gave to SO MANY in so many ways–surely many will also feel his loss. I love you, Skip, and look forward to our reunion someday in Heaven. With love, Betsy
The Eatons and Hastings families were friends for years. I was blessed to have know Skip in recent years and was so glad to be with him before he passed away. He was a beautiful person and I will miss him.
To know Neal was an honor that became a blessing. We loved his dry sense of humor. We will miss Neal very much.
We met in Sunday school when we were 8 yrs. old, we went to camp together, we doubled to most of the big dances in high school, he would come to Cincinnati to visit me when we were in college, he was my best man when I got married, he was my best friend. Sadly, I haven’t seen him in years, but during the course of our friendship we shared more laughs than most people are allotted during the span of a lifetime. Bless you, buddy.
The death of one of your children is very difficult, as we all know. After watching Skip die slowly for four months in the V.A. hospitals in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL, I must say that he was an inspiration to his family and his many friends.
His humor remained until the very end, when he told a group of nurses and friends that as he waited at the gates of Heaven to see if he could enter, he thought he would like to have with him a small garden hose just in case it was decided he would go the other way.
Bless Skip as he joins his mother in Heaven.
I met Skip in 1966 in front of my locker in senior hall at Rich East High School. Little did I know then that 41 years later I would consider him to be one of my very best and very closest practically life-long friends. Somehow over the years he became like a big brother whose advice, wisdom and loyalty I depended on, especially during life’s more trying times. I’m sure I will continue to consult him from time to time in my prayers and private thoughts for the rest of my life.
For the past 9 or 10 years since we both got “e-mail savvy” and cyber-communication became such a helpful tool to Skip because of his deafness, we kept in touch several times a week. Checking for his little humorous messages and updates on a daily basis is something I will miss for a very long time. And I will miss looking forward to his next long visit with me here in Tennessee. He considered my home and property here to be “one of his other homes” and so did I.
I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED AND BEEN VERY PROUD OF YOU SKIP AND I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER!
A BROTHER IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. SKIP WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ALL THE SPECIAL OCCASIONS IN MY LIFE. HE LOVED MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AS IF THEY WERE HIS OWN. HE ALWAYS MADE THEM FEEL SPECIAL AND INCLUDED THEM IN HIS LIFE AS OFTEN AS HE COULD. MY GIRLS AND I WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH HIM ON SOME OF HIS ADVENTURES. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. HE SAW EVERYTHING WITH BEAUTY AND A FRESHNESS I WILL NEVER FORGET. TIM HAD ALOT OF RESPECT FOR SKIP AND THEY BOTH LEARNED ALOT FROM EACH OTHER ABOUT THE STRUGLES LIFE CAN SEND YOUR WAY. HE TOLD MY DAUGHTER LINDSY THAT ONLY A FEW WERE THE CHOSEN ONES. MEANING THE ONES THAT COULD HANDLE ILLNESS AND BE STRONG. I KNOW SHE WILL HOLD ONTO THAT STATEMENT FOREVER AND DRAW STENGTH FROM IT. I WAS ABLE TO SEE SKIP TWICE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WHAT A BLESSING. NOT EVERYONE GETS THE CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE. AS I TOLD YOU ON OUR LAST DAY TOGETHER ON THIS EARTH I WILL MISS YOU. I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. SAY HI TO MOM. LOVE, YOUR LITTLE SISTER
Neal was a kind, gracious, and humble man … with an extraordinary dry sense of humor! He used to always tell me how much he loved Bok Gardens. I finally went there the other day and spent 5 hours walking around the beautiful grounds. I could feel Neal’s presence there.
Thanks Neal. I am a better person for knowing you.
— Lisa
I
met Skip through Amy In 1980,I have condsidered him one of my best friends since. He was a very loving man and always wanted to help his friends in any way he could. I am so very sorry for him having to leave us and will always have him in my heart.
Neal was a man of great humor and love. He always knew how to make people laugh but there was another side to Neal. He was a man of great faith. Neal put his faith into action by the ministries that he did at King of Peace MCC and by the way he treated other people. I will miss his smile and hugs. It was honor to know him and love him.
Rev. Lorraine Brock
When Skip came to visit I always enjoyed listening to Pam and him talking about their families. Our most memorable time together was spent locating and visiting their grandparents farm. I’m sure Skip and Pam are walking those fields together now.
I met Neal about 15 years ago and knew from day one that we would be friends. And he was the BEST!! Rest in peace, Neal. I love you.
David and I had the pleasure of spending quality time with Skip while he was in Tennessee. We enjoyed his company and his wonderful sence of humor.
I met Skip and Amy a few years back on a visit to Montana and fell in love with them both immediately. We enjoyed a visit to the Merry Widow Radon mine and laughed our way home. The numerous email jokes, quibs, and love has been heart warming. I only regreat not meeting sooner. Im sure heaven is loving Skip as I did.
A quote comes to mind,” we come into this world as strangers and leave as life long friends”.
Neal was a cherished friend. I will miss him very much. We have been friends for over 20 years, since he owned a condo in Sarasota. I have had 6 homes since then from Sarasota to Chicago and Georgia. Neal visited me at least once at each of those homes. I am truly honored to have been a friend of Neal’s.
Our prayers continue as Skip has definitely earned his wings and is now in a position to pray for all of us. God please continue to bless Skip’s dear dad as he grieves. Bless Skip’s family and friends. Bless our cherished friend Sally Jane.
My partner Robert and I met Neal at King of Peace in 2000. He was introduced to us by the assistant Pastor. It was the start of our
ever growing friendship.
Robert and I were already studying Sign Language, so we convinced Neal that he needed to join us. We studied, practiced and learned to communicate with one another. Some times we invented signs that we could only understand.We had many things in common, enjoyed going places together, shared adventures and became bonded.
We three had many happy times,
also some difficult because of Neal’ health problems.
I guess I have been in denial, maybe that’s the reason its taken me so long to write this. I know the suffering that dominated Neal’ life is over, and he’s in a better place. Still…. I miss my friend.
Remember Neal ????
How could I forget him.
John J. Doherty
My partner Robert and I met Neal at King of Peace in 2000. He was introduced to us by the assistant Pastor. It was the start of our
ever growing friendship.
Robert and I were already studying Sign Language, so we convinced Neal that he needed to join us. We studied, practiced and learned to communicate with one another. Some times we invented signs that we could only understand.We had many things in common, enjoyed going places together, shared adventures and became bonded.
We three had many happy times,
also some difficult because of Neal’ health problems.
I guess I have been in denial, maybe that’s the reason its taken me so long to write this. I know the suffering that dominated Neal’ life is over, and he’s in a better place. Still…. I miss my friend.
Remember Neal ????
How could I forget him.
John J. Doherty
My friend Neal, his suffering over, is now in a better place. I miss him, treasurer his friendship, always enjoyed our times together.
My partner John and I encouraged Neal to learn Sign Language, and YES we learned together; sometimes we were the only people to understand our invented signs.
When Lindley met Neal, he began studying Sign. The Love, Caring, Affection and Understanding they showed each other has been an inspiration to all who knew them as a couple.
Bless them both.
Love and Hugs,
Robert J. Schmid
How do I say goodbye to you? We’ve laughed,cried and shared so very many times together.You’ve gotten me over so many rough spots my friend.Your spirit is still felt in Pod 4. I will miss you all the days of my life.Thank you for enriching my life with your frienship. Till we meet again.
Neal was the most intelligent,mischevious, delightful person to know and work with. He’ll be greatly missed. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Neal was and will be missed at Nielsen where he was a friend to many who worked with him.
May God Bless his family in their loss of a dear one.
Our continued prayers for Skip’s dear dad as he grieves the loss of his wonderful son. Blessings on all of Skip’s family and friends. Blessing on our treasured friend, Sally Jane.
Skip at age 57, now that is mind-boggling. Still cute as a button, just like the little boy I knew, my friend Janie’s brother. Always attentive and kind, and quite a scamp, remembering one afternoon in particular at the Aquacenter pool. Now he sings with his Mother and all the angels around the throne of God.
We will always remember the “Tour of Bowling Green” and Skip riding the ” rock car”. We had a great time getting to know Skip. Skip had a wonderful spirit and brought joy everywhere he went. We are glad he came to Kentucky to visit Janie.
I worked with Neal for several years at Nielsen. He was a lovely man. So devoted to his family and friends and a great love of life. He will certainly be missed. Sincere sympathy to his partner and family.
Neal and I worked together at Nielsen. He had an unequaled depth of human kindness and a wonderful sense of humor. My condolences to his family, his partner, and all who knew him.
Skip, was my best friend and confidant he validated who I was. Skip, expected more of me than I thought possible he pushed and prodded filling in my missing links with his strengths, confidence in me and love. Our lives were so intertwined looking into his face reflected 57 years of sharing life. He loved people and was always anxious for me to meet___;so I know and share memories with many of you which we will keep alive. One of the last things I ask was for him to show me a sign that he was home and safe. As some of you know he was always suggesting how my hair should look. A 12-15 saloon appointment surprised both me and the stylist as I and came out with a short â??do”! Skip, finally got a hold of someâ??heavenly shearsâ??and had his wayâ?¦ of course he was right!
Skip, you have left your imprint on my heart and soul and I will cherish you forever! Till you and Mom meet me with Zachary at your side hover close. Goodbyes were not our style so; TTFN pat-pat Love, Janie
I had the pleasure of meeting Skip when he visited my dear friend Janie in Kentucky. I felt like I knew him already from her “Skip stories.” He certainly didn’t disappoint! He had such a friendly, lively spirit that I loved him immediately. Now he is charming the angels in heaven and looking down upon us here on earth. May God bless Janie and her family in the loss of their beloved Skip.
My condolences to the family. Sally and Neal are friends I know through Sweet Adelines. We know that Earl and you have been through a lot and you have been in our thoughts and prayers.
Anyone who took the time to stop and meet Neal were fortunate enough to experience his beautiful spirit firsthand and were all blessed by it. His eyes shined when he smiled, he had a quick wit, endless sense of humor, and a warmth and love he brought to
If I’ve learned anything from my uncle, it’s to live everyday to the fullest. To be happy and proud of who you are and that every adventure holds surprises. Uncle Skip was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He has given me the drive to fight for disease and keep going. He is one of the most important role models in my life and I will miss him everyday.
XOXO Love,
Lindsy Sellers
I met “Skip” through Amy about 7 years ago. We were priviledged to have him and his lovely family Neal Sr, Sally, Janie, Geoff, Shannon and Robin visit and stay with us many times. Last New Year’s Eve 2006was spent in joy with all of them in Jonesborough for our yearly New Year’s Gig. Afterwards we had a wonderful time back home drinking champagne and eating “snacks” put together by Skip. We also had a baby goat at the party, along with our dogs Sophie, Alfie and of course Skips beloved pooch Rocky. The year Skip spent in TN was a special time for us. The time spent in the pool, having dinner, playing games He was a wicked Scrabble playerlaughing and having fun will always have a special place in my heart. We are so blessed that we were able to travel to FL and have quality time with him before he passed. He was truly a unique character whom I loved very much. Skip and I shared a love of old films,old cars, animals and of course, Amy. I will miss him very much. I send much love to his wonderful family and friends and hope we can all keep in touch.
How happy we are that we were able to spend an afternoon with you in St. Petersburg at the Veterans Hospital. You were so gracious and kind to us. And—I will always have the special flower arrangement Skip made for us. Say hi to Betty Jane and Pam and give Grandma and Grandpa Eaton a big hug!
Aunt Martha Lee and Uncle Bob
He was a fun and happy guy to be around. I enjoyed working with him at Nielsen and will remember all the fun times we had at lunch.
I was blessed to have been able to spend three weeks on the road with my Uncle Skip. I am sure all who read this know the road was on of skips favorite places. Those three weeks were one of the best times of my life. We left Indiana traveled to Montana down through Yellowstone back up to Montana and then back to Cedar Lake, and there wasn’t a dessert we missed along the way. Rocky came with us and we stopped quite often to let him out stopping at scenic overlooks and places I normally would have just passed by on the way to my destination. He taught me to slow down and enjoy the people, places, and things in my life. He made me believe I could do anything at least once anyway. I am the independent, creative and caring person i am today because of him. Thank you Uncle Skip for making me a better person I will miss you greatly.
My Uncle Skip was an amazing man. He was adventurous, honest, silly, and quirky. A true original that will never be duplicated.
When my sisters and I were little, we were thrilled when we had the opportunity to visit with him. We always knew we’d have a great time and laugh for hours on end at his antics. No matter how old we became, we still couldn’t wait to see our “Uncle Skipper.” Our family also eagerly awaited the arrival of his Christmas presents each year. The gifts ranged from wacky bright blue suede purses to tame restaurant gift cards but they were always selected with his own special flair. He was such a special addition to our family and cared for my sisters and I as though we were his own.
I will miss my Uncle Skip until the day I meet him again. He celebrated all of my achievements and provided guidance when he knew I needed it. I hope he knows that he was a wonderful uncle and a source of inspiration for me. I really can’t believe I’ll never get another big bear hug from him, hear his raspy voice or enter yet another new address into my book.
I love you Uncle Skip.
Skip was on my mind a great deal today as I know today was to be his memorial service. Although we never met, I felt that I knew him through the stories that Jane shared about him. As a matter of fact, within an hour of my first meeting Jane, she was telling me all about her brother Skip. She loved him very much and it was obvious that she was proud to be Skip’s sister. I enjoyed my short conversations via emailwith Skip and I wish that we could have had more. I know that he will be missed by many. I wanted so badly to meet him at the family reunion. We always seemed to miss each other for some reason or another when he was in town to see Jane. I am sure that his service today was beautiful and I know that he was looking down and smiling at all those who loved him.