Douglas Clifford Eaton

LTC Douglas Clifford Eaton (U.S.A., Ret.), 68, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away peacefully on Oct. 30 at Baptist Health Center-NLR. Prior to retiring in 2010, he served as Director of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for the Arkansas Department of Education (2005-2010) championing the state's school districts in their quest to provide best-in-class facilities for Arkansas students. Prior to that, he served as Director of Facilities Services for the Little Rock School District (1991-2005), providing the same services to the state's largest school district with more than 24,000 students. Before joining the Arkansas education system, he was a decorated leader of the U.S. Army, a combat and construction engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1991 after 23 yrs., six mos., and 16 days of service, the final three in the role of Deputy District Engineer for the Little Rock District. He was the recipient of more than 20 commendations, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/Third Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal w/Services Star, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal-Korea, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. He loved his role as an Army officer mostly because he always had a clear mission and the authority to carry it out. At the age of 30, he was a company commander in charge of raising the Henry Bacon - a barge that sank in the Savannah River. He was the Facilities Engineer at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., in 1980 during the influx of Cuban refugees which also affected Fort Chaffee, Ark. He relished the challenges that came with assignments like these. Doug was born in Columbia, S.C. (although anyone who heard his New York accent wouldn't believe that) and graduated high school in Burns Flat, Okla. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) where he performed with the renowned Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, and later earned a Master's Degree in Regional and Urban Planning from Penn State University. Throughout his life, Doug was a mentor to hundreds of Boy Scouts and 30 Eagle Scouts of Troop 128 in Jacksonville, an avid camper, hiker, and 11-year director of the Boy Scouts Invitational White River Canoe Race. He was a member and volunteer for Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church. Sweetie, Dad, PeePaw, and Uncle Dougie to his family, he was preceded in death by his parents, SSgt Robert (USAF Ret.) and Rose Eaton of Las Vegas; and daughter, Christine Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife, Holly; son Brian and his wife Lori of San Antonio; grandchildren Jake and Isla; and sister Valerie Eaton of Las Vegas; nieces Julie, Kasey and Lindsay, and their families. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2 at Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church in Sherwood. Internment to be conducted in Norman, Okla. Arrangements made by Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 (501-791-7400). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sylvan Hills UMC or the Boy Scouts of America Troop 128, c/o Bill Fraley at Sylvan Hills UMC, 9921 Hwy. 107, Sherwood, Ark. 72120. Online Guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.