Legos are small toys that became a big part of Ron Eaton’s life and legacy. His garage was lined with boxes of the unopened building blocks.
Eaton loved making models, but collected as an investment.
Two straight-postured U.S. Marines recently visited his sister’s home in Everett. They stuffed a van with boxes of Legos for Toys for Tots.
It was a warm, wonderful donation in Ron Eaton’s honor.
He died last Christmas Day of kidney cancer.
His sister, Linda Grouell, and her husband, Jack, arranged hundreds of boxes of toys all over their foyer, next to a dining room table laden with holiday goodies.
Parents Roy and Margery Eaton of Mill Creek, who raised nine children, joined the melancholy event. They talked about the old days, the good days, losing daughter Barbara and now their seventh child.
His family described Ron Eaton, a bachelor, as the best of playmates for nieces and nephews, showing a gentle side made for children. He was the first to sit on the floor for games or whoop it up in a cowboy hat.
The retired software engineer, an avid bowler, fed chickadees from his condo window. He named the squirrels he fed Tripod, Stubby and Porky.
When it came to family celebrations, there was party time, and what they called “Ron time.”
He was usually late, but never arrived without a greeting card, his sister said. They learned never to ask him to bring an hors d’oeuvre. It was better to have him tote olives, something for the meal, because he would never make it to pre-party festivities.
And the olives came from his favorite store, Central Market in Mill Creek. The daily shopper was known at the store by his first name.
“He was a happy child with a grin for everyone,” brother Bill Eaton said at his brother’s funeral. “I am not sure whether it was his choice of hair styles or whether it was the only cut that Mom knew, but he definitely gave the burr head new meaning.”
As Ron grew up, Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” seemed to have been written for him. Ron Eaton definitely marched to his own drummer and did things his way.
“He was always generous, big hearted and willing to help — usually on his own schedule — but always there to lend a hand,” his brother said. “Many a fun time together was spent building decks, fences and other projects done with family members.”
Ron Eaton graduated with honors from San Jose State University with degrees in math, computer science and macrobiology. He worked for Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto, Calif.
The brothers enjoyed many a sail together on San Francisco Bay. Ron Eaton tied his own flies for fishing.
“I’m sorry he left us so young, so quickly, and that I never got a chance to catch a trout with him in New Zealand,” Bill Eaton said.
Before they loaded hundreds of Legos, friends and family chatted with the Marines. Sgt. Joseph Castillo talked about his overseas service. Sgt. DaLeon Fashaw said having a toddler son, and being home for Christmas, would make his holidays.
Linda Grouell showed the group, including neighbors, how her brother fit together Legos, inside a plastic package, without ever opening it. Margery Eaton said her son was probably smiling down from heaven at the gathering.
“He would be very happy to have children have all of this,” she said about the Legos. “Doing these types of things teaches children a lot of patience.”
Her son was a patient man, she added.
They hope to plant a tree Thursday in his name.
As toys for needy children were carried out of the house, the Eaton family spoke of their Christmas angel.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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