A great trombone player and college journalism professor, who was also an internationally ranked father and husband, has gone on to the place where God puts all kind-hearted trombone playing journalists who love their families.

Edgar Eugene Eaton died on Dec. 3, 2018, after a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s. Eaton, who was journalism professor at Green River Community College for 32 years, is survived by his wife, Billye Eaton, and his four children and their spouses: Steve and Barbara Eaton, Elizabeth and Dean Dickson, Robert and Dianne Eaton, and Jennifer and Greg Isham. His first wife, Clayta Eaton, preceded him in death on June 23, 2008. He had 15 grandchildren and 19 truly great-grandchildren. He was 84.

A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eaton served many people officially and many more on his own as he consistently reached out to those in need. Each month he would make and deliver dozens of individualized birthday cards to friends and family.

He will be missed the most by his family. One study showed that he was loved 72 percent more than the average father and in the 1960s and 1970s he topped an international list of best fathers in the world for 20 years in a row. He repeatedly swam in Puget Sound, setting and breaking family world records for cold-water bravery.

He received little recognition for his trombone playing, performing mostly for friends when he would show up on their front lawns to honor them with early-morning renditions of “Happy Birthday.” It has been estimated that he will be missed 92 percent more than other trombone-playing journalists who have gone to the other side.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, December 8 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Auburn. Interment was at the Mountain View Cemetery.