Edward Eric Eson

Edward Eric Eson, 87, of Greeley, died Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Meadow View Care Center in Greeley. He was born on June 22, 1929 at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver to Eric and Theodosia (Keith) Eson.

As a boy, Ed began a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. He and his brother, Bob, loved to build and fly model airplanes. He took flying lessons as a teenager and managed to solo before running out of money. But his love of flying and working on planes lasted the rest of his life.

Ed grew up in North Denver, attending Edison Elementary, Skinner Junior High, and North High School. In his senior year he transferred to Emily Griffith Opportunity School and earned his A&P license to become an aircraft mechanic.

At the age of 21, Ed joined the Navy and was assigned with his brother to the aircraft carrier USS Antietam during the Korean conflict. The Antietam carried F4U4 Corsairs. Ed spent 3 years on active duty and was always proud of his military service.

In 1955, Ed began working for United Airlines as a mechanic in San Francisco until getting his transfer back to Denver. He continued at Stapleton until his retirement in 1990.

On January 6, 1951, Ed married Shirley Rutherford. They divorced after 28 years of marriage and 4 children. He later met Jo Hairgrove and they married on January 5, 1980. After Ed's retirement, he and Jo moved to Apache Junction, Arizona in 1995. They moved back to Greeley in 2006 when Jo's health began to fail. Jo died in 2009.

Ed and Jo loved traveling, including trips to Hawaii, Ireland, and New Zealand. They were members of Good Sam Club and the BPOE of Northglenn. Ed was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Greeley.

He is survived by three daughters, Pam (Doug) Kershaw of Greeley, Denise (Vern) Vail of Arvada and Terri Thompson of Greeley; son, Larry Eson of Denver; stepdaughters, Charlotte (Rick) Hollands of Lochbuie, and Dale Youmans of Evans, Colorado; stepson, Joel Hairgrove of Burns, Wyoming; six grandchildren, Zachary, Tyler, Eli, Alisha, Geoff and Sarah; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine McKenna and brother, Robert Eson.

Service will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Stoddard Funeral Home. Private family inurnment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery.