Dan Eakin

Dan graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas in 1963. He received an Associate of Arts - Mathematics Degree from Tyler Jr. College in 1965 and a Bachelor of Sciences - Mathematics Degree from the University of Houston in 1966.

Dan asked Cindy Riley to be his date to his High School Senior Boys’ Dance on February 22, 1963. Their courtship resulted in their being united in marriage on July 23, 1966. The two were not only sweethearts but best friends. Their faith and love for each other guided them through each of the joys and sorrows of life. This marriage was blessed with the birth of their son, Derrick Andrew Eakin, on January 22, 1972. Dan considered being Derrick’s dad the highest honor and joy possible to achieve in life. Their father/son relationship was admired and envied by many. When Derrick’s life tragically ended during his second year at the University of Texas, Dan and Cindy established the Derrick Andrew Eakin Scholarship Foundation. This Foundation awarded 20 four-year scholarships to graduating Cypress-Fairbanks seniors in order to help preserve Derrick’s memory and enable other deserving students achieve their educational goals.

Dan’s professional career began upon graduation from college, with his accepting a position with Cypress-Fairbanks ISD to establish their Data Processing Department. He developed their computerized attendance records, grade reporting, administrative accounting, district-wide inventory records, and district-wide employee payroll. He also taught classes in computer programming and mathematics. He coached the golf team, announced all the high school football games and served as a referee for volleyball and basketball.

In 1972, Dan was recruited by Honeywell Information Systems, Inc. as a technical support representative to large national accounts. He was promoted to Account Manager to a large oil and gas company as well as a large university. In 1980, he was named the Branch Manager for Marketing Support. In 1981, he became the Area Manager of sales and marketing for Honeywell’s offices in Houston, Austin, and Dallas.

Prime Computer recruited Dan in 1983 to become their Major Account Executive responsible for sales and support to a major oil company in Houston.

In January, 1985, Dan accepted a position with Apple Computer as National Account Executive. Most of Apple’s technical employees were much younger than Dan, but he managed to quickly gain their respect and enjoyed being nicknamed Papa around the office. His primary territory was the NASA/Johnson Space Center and the support contractors associated with the Space Program. He and his team expanded and implemented over 2500 Macintoshes at the Space Center. His last project was overseeing the installation of over 700 Macintoshes and printers at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace.

In 1976, Dan was attracted to a billboard advertising a new development planned in northwest Houston. It would be within the Cy-Fair School District and to make it even more appealing, there would be a golf course! Dan and Cindy and 4-year old Derrick were among the first families to build a home and move into Hearthstone. As more families began to make Hearthstone their home, the community became more like a very small town and lifelong friendships were formed. Dan and Cindy were founding members of Hearthstone Country Club. Dan served on the Board of Governors, held offices in the Men’s Golf Association, helped form the “A” Rack golf group and most days could be spotted on the golf course or in the men’s locker room. The residents and members of Hearthstone taught Dan and Cindy the true meaning of friendship. Their love and support at the time of Derrick’s death was invaluable and remains strong.

Dan and Cindy purchased a get-a-way vacation home on Caney Creek in Sargent, Texas. They began splitting their time between Hearthstone and Sargent. Dan became involved in the community and served on the Live Oak Bend Homeowners' Association Board of Directors. He loved the peacefulness of rocking on the wrap-around porch while drinking his morning cup of coffee and watching the sun rise over the water. The rest of the day would likely be spent in his boat locating the perfect fishing spot. Then home to enjoy evening cocktails with neighbors while grilling the redfish he caught that day.

After retirement from the business world, Dan found more time to dedicate to his lifelong passion - golf. He had always enjoyed the game from a young boy and played every chance he had while growing up. He played and lettered in both high school and junior college. As an adult he competed as an amateur on the local, state, and national levels. He was always ready for a golf road trip with the Hearthstone guys or available to play in any charity event. He had the opportunity to attend three of the Masters Golf Tournaments in Augusta and found it to be an experience of a lifetime. He worked with Titleist Golf as a custom club fitter to assist players select the correct clubs to improve their game. Dan played on a Professional Senior Golf Tour for a few years during retirement and experienced life on the road as a pro golfer. However, among all his championship titles and trophies, it was the trophies and memories from the Hearthstone Father-Son Tournaments that he kept and treasured the most.

Dan and Cindy sold their Hearthstone home of over 40 years and moved to Solea Copperfield, a 55+ Active Adult Community in February 2017. They were the first couple to move into the new development and Dan quickly became involved in meeting new residents and making them feel comfortable in their new home. He was nicknamed “Mayor Dan”. He thrived on being part of a group of men who met most afternoons for playing a friendly game of pool. Dan was in his true element when he founded and organized an annual Super Bowl Party for the community and loved teaching the little ladies how to purchase squares to perhaps win a portion of the Super Bowl Pot! The residents at Solea have become family to Dan and Cindy. They have been there every step of the way with loving concern, prayers, and assistance.

Surviving Dan are his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Cindy Riley Eakin, and brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Lyn Eakin. Dan was eight years old when Gene was born into the family and he has always felt a special bond and closeness to Gene. Dan was the extremely proud and adoring uncle of Shelby Eakin Yllana, her husband, Arfeo, and their children, Xavier, Norah, and Delphine. He also leaves many cousins, each holding a very special place in his heart. Getting together with family to share memories and laughter was the definition of a perfect day to Dan. Dan possessed a special gift of being able to easily engage a total stranger into conversation, no matter their age or interests. Because he genuinely cared about each person who crossed his path along his journey in life, he leaves countless friends who will remember him and be thankful that he has been released from his struggle.

Among those who are waiting to be reunited with Dan in Heaven are his son, Derrick Eakin, his parents, Joe and Dorothy Eakin, his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and LuAnn Eakin, his sister Lana Eakin, and his nephews, David Eakin and Steven Eakin.

To honor Dan’s strong desire for each and every young person to be given the opportunity to experience the thrill of participating in a sport, memorial donations are suggested to:

Houston Golf Association & The First Tee-Greater Houston

hga.org/first-tee-greater-houston

or Special Olympics Greater Houston Area 4

sotx.org