Leonard Earl Van Eaton, Esq., was born in Memphis, TN, on March 4, 1929, the eldest son of Letisha Bording Van Eaton and Leonard Wyatt Van Eaton. He passed away at his home from natural causes on April 26, 2021. He was a graduate of Central High School where he was a cheerleader. It was there that he met and married his first love, Verenus June Turner. After graduating from high school, Leonard went to work at Firestone Tire and Rubber building tires during the day and going to law school at night. He received his law degree from Southern School of Law (later to become Memphis University) in June 1958. He was admitted to the Bar and subsequently went into practice, first with Seymour Rosenberg, then Hershel Rosenberg and finally into private practice, continuing to serve his legal clients while also working as a real estate closing attorney at Title Assurance and Escrow in partnership with his eldest son, Kris Van Eaton. In 1959, he married his wife of 56 years, Mary Lillian (Benton) Van Eaton. Together, they enjoyed an active social life being involved with Cotton Carnival and Ra Met Secret Society. They also travelled extensively with their close-knit group of friends.
He was a member of the Bar Association and Ra Met Secret Society, representing Ra Met as “King Ra XXXVII” during that years’ Cotton Carnival.
He was excessively frugal with his personal needs while almost excessively generous with contributions to a number of charitable organizations. He loved to travel with family and friends and travelled throughout the country and abroad. He participated in several sports like water and snow skiing, in his younger years, and played tennis until his late eighties. He generally enjoyed what life had to offer.
He was well known and well respected by his peers as an attorney. He loved his work and was active in his law practice until his passing at age 92.
He was a family man and loved to be around his immediate and extended family. He was the anchor in bringing his whole family together to celebrate live and each other. He was the bedrock of our family and will remain held reverently and lovingly in our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and his brothers, Billie and Charles. He is survived by his sister Vera Sue Friddell (Thomas), his children Bonnie Van Eaton Jones, Kris Stevens Van Eaton (Barbie), Leonard Walter Van Eaton (Lynne), Wesley Orin Van Eaton (Gini), Cynthia Lydia Van Eaton, 7 grandchildren and 4 ½ great grandchildren.
Services will be held on May 11, 2021 at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN, with graveside internment at Memphis Memorial Park to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse and/or Disabled American Vets.
