Albert Raymond Eaton was born in Jacksonville, Florida on July 22, 1945, the second child of Albert and Juanita Eaton, five years after his older brother Roger. His father Al Eaton had several jobs before joining the Navy, from which he retired after thirty years. His youngest son Albert Raymond was known by family and friends simply as Ray.

At sixteen Ray was the president of the youth group and met the Lord Jesus at a Methodist retreat while in high school. He graduated from a military high school while his parents were stationed in Puerto Rico, in a class of sixteen students. He attended Huntington Methodist College but after three years decided to join the Navy. After boot camp in Chicago he was educated at the naval school in Millington, Tennessee, where he later returned several times for further schooling.

One tour of duty took him to Washington State where he often enjoyed backpacking in the woods. He was actively involved with the Navigators, a para-church organization, which strengthened his commitment to Christ. On a training trip back to Millington he met his soon-to-be bride, Debbie Hutchison, who had been actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. Debbie graduated from a government school on a NATO base in Keflavik, Iceland with a class of ten students. Their deep connection was evident from the start. This, plus wisdom from both a Crusade staffer while Debbie was in college at San Diego State, and also a family at the little Baptist church where they met, led the couple to get engaged after only eight days. They enjoyed being salt and light to the young Navy students who visited their church, preparing Sunday meals for them after each service. Ray returned to his home base in Jacksonville and six months later they married on June 11, 1973 at the church where they met.

In March of 1975 Ray and Debbie became the parents of Bryant Edward, followed by Mark Patrick in Aug of 1976 and Todd Eric in Dec. of 1978. Ray and Debbie loved having three energetic sons, and found themselves in urgent care often. The boys developed their own interests and passions with lots of love and support from their parents. Ray and Debby's eleven grandchildren are also close in age and are crazy about each other!

Upon learning that there was a Civil Service position available teaching radar and computers, as he was already doing in the Navy, and one which would allow his family to plant roots, Ray left the Navy after eight years. The commanding office said that if he was among the top three applicants, the job was his. For Ray and Debbie it was a step of faith in God and faithfulness to their family, and the Lord honored it. He held that position for a few years until the creation of the first US Bulk Mail Centers. Ray was given a leadership position in the Jacksonville Bulk Mail Center and his location was the only one in the country to come in under budget.

Ray's next job led the family to Santa Ana, California where the leadership staff gave him the nickname "Miracle Man" because of his ability to solve complex problems with computer systems. Most of his following jobs were within the Defense Industry and he retired from SCORE where he was well loved and vital to the work of the underwater bombing range training conducted offshore of San Diego and San Clemente Island.

The Eaton family moved to Mira Mesa in 1977, later moving to Poway where they found their final home. Ray and Debbie had trusted God for ten years, waiting for his timing to buy their first California home, which came in 1987. Ray became very involved in their new "City in the country." He was involved in political campaigns, was the administrator of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Commander of the local Cub Scouts Pack, and held several leadership positions with Poway's American Legion and Fleet Reserve Association. He also enjoyed being involved in the Westview High School ROTC, supporting scholarship essay contests for students and seeking to keep the sacrifice of American service men and women, and their families, alive in the mind of our nation.  A descendant of William Bradford, Mayflower passenger & Governor of Plymouth Colony, Ray was a proud member of The Mayflower Society.

Ray's 70th birthday was celebrated in Zion National Park in Utah with his wife Debbie, their three sons and their wives, and grandchildren in a large ranch house. Their days were spent in the park, enjoying the streams and waterfalls in the shadows of the colorful peaks. Afternoons included beautiful views of horses in green pastures at the ranch, and nights were filled with joyful meals and impromptu entertainment from grandchildren. It was one of his fondest memories of his family in his later years.

Ray was loved by friends & family and throughout his career because of his gentleness, compassion, quick wit and keen mind. He ended his days in his favorite vacation spot, sitting in the sun, overlooking the ocean and eating one of his favorite foods until the Lord decided it was time to go and the paramedics took him to the hospital. He and Debbie had a sweet goodbye, with a smile and a shrug, thinking "here we go again", not knowing it was to be their last.

Ray was two months short of seventy-eight years old when he passed, and Ray and Debbie were twenty-five days from their 50th wedding anniversary.

Ray gave each of his grandchildren a very special nickname. His eleventh grandchild was three months old when he passed and though he was blessed to have had the chance to meet her, he had not yet chosen her name. Nana thinks it would have been "Poppa's Promise." Poppa's promise is that he will see them all again.

Ray Eaton is survived by his wife Debbie; son Bryant & his wife Karen; son Mark & his wife Leanne; son Todd & his wife Tomi; eleven grandchildren, Isabel, Olivia, Abigail, Estelle, Eisley, Indy, Skylar, Clover, Aidyn, Mishael and Rayn; Brother Roger & his wife Tim.

There will be a memorial service held with a public viewing at noon and funeral service at 1pm on June 17th at the Poway Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Road, Poway, California 92064, with a reception to follow at the Poway Community Center, Oak Hall West, 13325 Civic Centre Drive, Poway CA, 92064.

Those unable to attend can view the service live online at:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093357874747&mibextid=LQQJ4d

(no Facebook account required. You may be prompted to login or create an account, but you can close that pop-up and watch the live video)