Elton Alfred Eason

On July 4, 2022, the world lost a special human being, Elton “Chic” Eason. Born on August 3, 1929 to a farming family in Matthews, Georgia outside of Augusta, he was the first to go to college in his family. A Korean War veteran, he taught math at Georgia State University for 35 years but his career was not his focus – it was his three children and the family publishing business called Eason Publications Inc. He arranged his classes around his kids’ schedules to ensure they didn’t end up in jail. That worked. Well... mostly.

A shy, gentle, playful and generous spirit, Chic loved a prank, slow-cooked collard greens, a ripe summer tomato, and the Republican Party. Much to the chagrin of his kids.

Chic and Debby Eason were married for 63 years, a union that blossomed after a blind date in Atlanta. He told Debby he was a postal worker since he thought being a teacher wasn’t sexy. It was several months later that he confessed the truth. She married him anyway.

Seeing the growing cultural opportunities in their hometown, he and Debby published Atlanta guidebooks beginning in 1967 when that burgeoning city was only 1.2 million people. They started with This is Atlanta, then Pocket Atlanta – published in four languages – and Atlanta Zoo, an educational guide for visitors. This endeavor drove him, Debby and several others in 1971 to found the Zoological Society of Atlanta, which still manages the Zoo today.

These publication endeavors laid the groundwork for their next chapter. He named and co-founded the Eason family’s successful chain of weekly newspapers, Creative Loafing, in 1972. He was very proud to be part of the company that helped enrich the Atlanta intellectual scene.

He loved Faulkner, poetry, Fox News and $2 dollar bills. He would spend hours on the porch at their north Georgia cabin in Blue Ridge, sipping coffee and staring at the mountain ridges. It was, as they say, his happy place.

Chic passed away peacefully at Tampa General Hospital surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. Last year, Chic met an extraordinary child, Haze, through his physical therapist. Already reading at five years old, Haze impressed Chic and he took a shining to him. In lieu of flowers, the Eason family has set up an educational 529 Plan for Haze so he can thrive the way Chic knew he could. Visit this page to contribute.

He is survived by his wife Deborah, his three children Jennie, Taylor, Ben and his wife Anne; three grandchildren Elliot, Maggie and Alex; and his brother William.

The family is hosting Chic’s Celebration of Life on August 3, 2022 at the Orlo House in Hyde Park, from 5:30- 8:30pm. Please RSVP here.

If you cannot make it, feel free to send a note or video that we can share at the event to [email protected].