Jack Edward Eaton, age 91, of Boise passed away unexpectedly in a local hospital on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022. He passed in peace, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Jack was born in May 1931 in Shelley, Idaho. He was the 12th and last surviving child of Zera and Alice (Starkie) Eaton. Jack was raised in and around the area, graduating from Shelley High School in 1949.
From the time he was a young boy, Jack worked a variety of jobs around the farm. Later, he worked for many years in the spud houses and driving truck hauling sheep and ore from the mines.
In 1952, Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army. Shortly after his training stateside, he was sent to Korea, where he spent the next 22 months. While in the war, Jack distinguished himself in many ways and rose to the rank of Sergeant. His unit moved around Korea and was often working within earshot of the front lines. His commanders recognized and appreciated his work so much that Jack was awarded the Bronze Star, among several other honors.
After returning home from Korea, Jack enrolled in Idaho State College in Pocatello. He majored in accounting and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the field. While attending college, Jack met Rayceal McNinch, the love of his life. They married soon after and were together for the next 65 years.
Jack and Rayceal lived in both Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene as he was beginning his long career with the Idaho Department of Employment. In 1962, a transfer brought them to Boise, which has remained the family home since and is where their children, Doug and Kristi, were raised.
Jack had so many hobbies and things he loved to do, remaining active throughout his entire life. He was a lifelong hunter, fisherman and lover of the outdoors. He enjoyed working on the many cars and trucks that he owned over the years. He was an accomplished marksman and became a mentor to dozens of young shooters as an NRA instructor at the Meridian Junior Rifle Club. The Eaton family spent countless weekends camping in their tiny little trailer at Baumgartner Hot Springs. Later, Jack and Rayceal were able to purchase a family cabin in Paradise Valley, near Warm Lake. So many great memories were made there hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles and just experiencing everything that the Idaho outdoors had to offer. Jack had an adventurous spirit and there were not many back roads around that Jack hadn’t driven and explored. Jack was a friend to all and loved talking with just about anyone about his many life experiences.
More than anything, though, Jack simply loved enjoying life in the company of his family. No matter what activities that Doug and Kristi were involved in, Jack would be there watching them, leading them or participating alongside them. Later in life, he just beamed as he shared some of those same passions with his grandkids, Shelbe and Blake. Jack was a one-of-a-kind and will be missed dearly.
Survivors include his wife, Rayceal Eaton; son, Doug (Doris) Eaton; daughter Kristi (Wade) Spain; granddaughter Shelbe (Justen) Ulrich; and grandson, Blake Spain. Jack was also very much looking forward to meeting his first great-grandson, Greyson, who is due in July.
Services for Jack will be held Thurs., June 9, 1:00pm, at Relyea Funeral Chapel, with a visitation prior at 12noon. Jack will be laid to rest Tues., June 14, 10:00am, at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.
“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way”
In lieu of flowers, the family would requests donations in Jack’s honor to the Mayo Clinic ~ https://www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic
Click here to view a webcast of the service on 6/9/2022 at 12:55 PM, Mountain Standard Time.