John David Eaton

John David Eaton was born on May 27, 1949 in Clay County, Missouri to George H. and Wilma Jean (Kern) Eaton and spent his youth in Liberty, Missouri, involved with the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The son of the Liberty Fire Chief, David was also a volunteer firefighter. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1968 where he had been a member of the wrestling team and part of the “L” Club.

David moved to Springfield, Missouri to pursue his college studies at Southwest Missouri State University. He was an active brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity where he formed lifelong friendships and was involved with the Young Democrats Club. David graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction with a Minor in Industrial Management and Drafting and Design.

He married Peggy Summers on October 31, 1970 and they were married for 19 years, raising a family in Springfield, Missouri. He was an active Boy Scout Troop Leader and spent most summers at Camp Arrowhead in roles including Swim Director and Camp Director, his daughters joined in and fostered the same love for history, the outdoors, camping, and survival skills. He was an avid reader of science fiction and collected Boy Scout memorabilia, camping equipment, and uniforms to donate to new Scouts. It is little wonder that one daughter followed that passion and went into the field of archaeology and the other daughter pursued studies in history.

The Boy Scouts of America was a significant part of David’s life. He was a proud part of the Ozarks Trail Council and the Pony Express Council, most recently serving as Commissioner for Troop 100 in Bethany, Missouri. He served as a mentor to countless Boy Scouts, helped many boys to earn Eagle Scout, was part of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say Honor Society, and Order of the Arrow.

A member of the Carpenter’s Local, David’s career in construction ranged from carpenter, contractor, to project manager. He worked for J. E. Dunn Construction Company, JB Construction and Concrete, Commercial Construction and Consulting Inc., Inland Pacific Construction, Blanton Construction, and Gene Fritzel Construction Company before retiring. In 1996, he moved to his parents’ farm outside of Bethany, Missouri where he helped his father and later purchased the farm in 1999. He lived the remainder of his life farming, running cattle, and hunting on that land.

He is survived by two daughters, Melissa Ann Eaton (spouse Bryan A. Ellis) of Greenwood, Missouri and Pamela Sue Eaton (partner David C. Cole) of Springfield, Missouri, a sister Georgia Adams of Cowgill, Missouri, and Harmony Stoneburner of Franklin, Tennessee who he considered as a granddaughter. David was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roy Mark, and companion Donna Dellaporta. He was a good friend and neighbor, a loving father and grandfather, fraternity brother, Boy Scout, Freemason, and avid sportsman.

A visitation is scheduled at Church-Archer-Paisley Funeral Home in Liberty, Missouri on Monday, October 2 from 1:00-3:00pm where you can visit with the family. A private burial will take place at a later date and he will be interred at White Chapel Cemetery in Gladstone, Missouri next to his parents and younger brother. Through his Christian faith, David believed in everlasting life and lived his life according to the Boy Scout Oath and Law. Please consider a donation to the Boy Scouts of America in his memory and go camping or floating in his honor.