James Curtis Van Eaton

James Curtis Van Eaton, K5CLA, was born April 2, 1942 in Ft. Smith Arkansas to Harold Virgil Van Eaton, K5CVU, and Verna Allie Curtis Van Eaton and went to join them in heaven on August 24, 2021. His big sister by 3 years, Marilyn, was his best friend, and as they were growing up were always into trouble and getting into things. She says he was always smarter than her and she was jealous since she had to work harder at things than he did. As adults, they so enjoyed hearing their favorite football teams, the Cowboys and Cardinals, on to victory together each week during the football season. Jim, as he was known to all, graduated high school from Ft. Smith, AK, met and married Orvella, moved to Tulsa and had his life blessed by twin boys, Brent and Brian. He spent his professional career evolving in the design, construction, and operation of radio and television stations, and production and post-production facilities in the US and internationally. He was involved with all the major television stations and many others throughout his career. Along the way, he was married to Mary, and finally settled in Los Angeles with his third wife, Adele and raised his stepdaughters, Cricket and Mariela. Jim worked for many years with Vidtronis, Complete Post, Pacific Ocean Post, and Fotokem. He felt fulfilled in his career goals and retired to Gilbert Arizona to be near his grandchildren, Alec and Michelle. Jim was enjoying his retired years focused on helping others to achieve their goals, traveling, spending time with friends, and being near his sons and grandchildren. Jim is preceded by his parents and his nephew, Chris Rowley. He is survived by his sons, Brent and Huang Van Eaton, Brian and Lili Van Eaton and children Alec and Michelle, his step daughters Mariela Henares Preisler, husband Will Christian Preisler and son Quentin Bernard, Carmen “Cricket” Henares Bryan, husband Casey Thomas Bryan and son Jack Theodore, his sister, Marilyn and Blair Rowley and their children Juanita Rowley and husband William Ward Jr., Barbara and Ricky Gleason and nephews and nieces, Alex Scott, Cassie Joy and Michael Scott and son, Declan, Kaleb Gleason and Meghan Kirley-Gleason and son Sean, Jacob Gleason, James Gleason, and Cherokee Gleason. He will be greatly missed until we can all join him at the great reunion where there will be a massive party by the East Gate! In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his precious grandchildren’s education. He treasured them and supporting their education will greatly honor Jim.

To make an educational support donation please go to http://ugift529.com and enter the following codes: 𝔐𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔢 P3N-Q5N or for Alec L0V-P8N (this is L zero V).