John Frederick Easton, 87
John Frederick Easton, 87, of Bigfork, passed away Dec. 4, 2017, in Tempe, Arizona, surrounded by family.
His wife of 65 years, Marilyn Jean, preceded him in death in July. John was an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman.
He loved hiking, boating and four-wheeling in his Jeep, and continued camping into his 80s. He was a modeler and built numerous model airplanes, trains and train layouts and boats. A ham radio operator, John spent many hours enjoying exchanges with people around the world. He was friendly, talkative and knowledgeable, and appreciated music throughout his life.
John is survived by his children, Dan (Becky) Easton of Juneau, Alaska, Pam (Norm) Saba of Tempe, Arizona, Brian Easton of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Susan (Jack Qutub) Easton of Alexandria, Virginia. He has eight grandchildren, Danny (Jenn), Matt and Rachel Saba, Joey and Zach Easton, and Brooke, Piper and Joey Qutub. He has one great-granddaughter, Alex Easton.
John was born in Painesville, Ohio, on Dec. 10, 1929, to parents John Alexander and Eleanor Elizabeth (Schmidt) Easton, and grew up in Willoughby, Ohio. He has one sister, Fregis Landman, who is deceased. John went to Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in music. He married Marilyn, his college sweetheart, the following year. John was proud to serve in the United States Navy in Japan for four years. After he was honorably discharged, he and Marilyn moved to Michigan, where he worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company in various locations for 12 years.
John and Marilyn then purchased Easton Point Marina in Easton, Maryland, and moved to Oxford in 1969. John was an active member of the community, among other things serving on the board and as vice president of the Waterfowl Festival, the president of R/C Friends Aeromodelers and volunteering for the Power Squadrons. After selling the marina, John became a realtor for the Easton-based firm Sharp & Critchlow. He and Marilyn bought the East Haven RV Park and moved to Winter Haven, Florida, in 1987. Years later, they sold the park and retired, enjoying family, friends and hobbies in Bigfork and Fountain Hills, Arizona.
The immediate family held a private service in Tempe. Condolences may be left for the family at tempemortuary.com.