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Light a Candle
James (Jim, Jimbo) Robert Eaton April 25, 1962 – January 31, 2022 Atwater, California — Jim was born on April 25, 1962 to the late William E. Eaton and Maxine P. Eaton in Long Beach, CA. Anyone who knew Jim, knows that he was about the happiest-go-lucky person you would ever want to meet. He would always greet you with a heart-warming smile and a laugh. And usually, either a story or a challenge to a game of horseshoes. Even in his last hours he had smiles to give. Jim grew up in the L.A. area, moving from Wilmington to Canoga Park in 1974. That is where he met his life-long friend, Jeff Savala, on the way to his first day of junior high school. Jim was a hard worker his entire life. As a kid, helping to build a cabin and working on fixer-uppers; while his first paid job was bailing hay at a local feed store at age 15. He moved to Atwater with his parents in 1979 and helped run an almond and boysenberry farm. He met Stacy Karnatz, who became his wife and the mother of his 4 kids, at DeLoux Beauty College in 1983. They were married for 14 years. After which, he was a single dad off and on, always working hard for his kids. In 2001, he married Kellie MacGillivray, they were together for 2 years. Jim would do anything for his kids, and then his grandkids. At times, in recent years, his calendar would be filled with babysitting commitments for the kids he loved so much. In the early years he worked as a hairdresser until he found his niche at Santa Fe Pet Hospital, where he was a major asset for many years. In the past more than a decade he owned Jim’s Handyman Service, which usually kept him busy. He excelled in carpentry, a skill he learned from his dad, whose coffin Jim built. He loved being outdoors, fishing, gardening, riding motorcycles and playing horseshoes. He was a “professional camper”. Jimbo was loved by everyone that knew him. He had a huge heart and would give the last of what he had to help even a stranger. He was blessed with a loving family and many, many friends. He is survived, and immensely loved, by his children Zackery (Xochilt) Eaton, Rei Anna (Steven) Flynn, Courtney (Izzy) Quezada, Cody (Bri) Eaton and step-daughter Katelyn (Brandon) Brady. As well as his grandchildren Tyler, Hannah, Daniel, Nekoda, Abby, Gracie, Roger, Kadin, Kaleb, Jesse, Molly, Isabella and Lily. And his 14th, Nova Rose, is expected any day. He is also survived by siblings William (Kristi) Eaton and Kitty (Don) Shaljean. Along with nephews Chad (Sasha) Eaton, Dustin (Stefani) Eaton and Travis (Samantha) Anderson; and grandnieces Scarlet, Kimmy, Alice and Paisley who loved him dearly. Jim passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones; with his family and many precious friends visiting in his last days. There will be a Memorial Service for Jim on February 19, 2022 at 11am. It will be held at the Barhoppers Clubhouse, located at 906 Main St., Merced, CA. Bring a lawn chair.
