J Mack Eaton, a resident of Gainesville, died March 8, 2010 after a brief illness.
Born November 9, 1923 in Champaign, Illinois, Mr. Eaton served in the Philippine Islands during WWII with the U.S. Army Field Artillery Air Section from 1944 - 1946. He held a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Saint Louis University and an MS in Engineering Administration from Washington University in Saint Louis. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer in Georgia, an FAA flight instructor, and a University of Minnesota Visiting Professor of Airplane Design.
A resident of Sandy Springs for 31 years, he worked at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as a Staff Research and Development Engineer, Advanced Design Division, in Marietta, Ga., and Burbank, Ca. from 1955 to 1986. Previously, he worked at Chance Vought Aircraft, Glenn L. Martin Aircraft, McDonnell Aircraft, Emerson Electric Company, and Hayes Aircraft.
He was a member of the Lockheed Flying Club, flying and instructing in a number of small aircraft, serving as both chief instructor and maintenance officer. He continued flying until the age of 80.
Upon retirement in 1986, he and his wife moved to St. Croix, USVI, where they built a home and lived for seven years. Following their move from St. Croix, he lived in Kennesaw, GA and Brevard, NC, until retiring to Gainesville in 2005.
First and foremost, he loved his family. He was married for 67 years to Lucile Cunningham Eaton. He is survived by his wife and their three daughters, Marilyn Bloch of Montgomery, AL, Jane Haddow of Mineral Bluff, and Ellen Eaton of Canton; two grandchildren, John Bloch and Mary Bloch Middleton; and four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Addison, Sarah, and Katherine.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Grace Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at
www.littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA is in charge of arrangements.
