JAMES LAVON EASON

    James Lavon Eason was born in Diagonal, Iowa on January 19, 1930 to Paul James Eason and Beth (Beymer) Eason. The family moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1932. In 1934 they moved to the farm west of Mount Ayr. Jim went to Siloam country school in Washington township from 1935 to 1944, graduating from the eighth grade. Jim transferred to the Mount Ayr high school and graduated in 1948. While in high school he played football, basketball and baseball. Jim farmed with his dad until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951.
    Jim was united in marriage to Nina Ann Morrison in the newly finished RLDS church in Mount Ayr on July 20, 1952. Nina’s father helped build the RLDS church and Jim and Nina were the first to be married in the church. The church was crowded with well-wishers (many of whom might have just come to see the new church) and it was a sweltering hot day with standing room only in the small church. Jim and Nina lived in Vallejo, California while Jim served in the Air Force as a radar mechanic. Jim was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1955 and Jim and Nina moved back to Mount Ayr. In 1957 Jim and Nina bought the farm on which he lived the remainder of his life. Jim worked as a mail carrier at the Mount Ayr Post Office from October 1, 1962 to 1976 when he became officer in charge in Afton, Iowa. On January 26, 1980, he was assigned post master of the Mount Ayr Post Office; retiring on January 1, 1999. He was a member of the Community of Christ Church, Ringgold Post #172 American Legion, and the Lions Club, all in Mount Ayr. Jim and Nina raised four children, and many grandkids, great-grandkids, nephews, nieces, friends of his children and many, many cattle, corn and soybeans.
    Jim passed away September 17, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Curtis Dean Eason, on July 31, 2003.
    Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Nina Eason of Mount Ayr, Iowa; son, Steven James Eason and wife Theresa of Clarinda, Iowa and their children Dr. Amanda Eason and fianc?? Dr. Kyle Flessner of Oakdale, California, Sara Hecox and husband Dr. Ashton of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Kelli Ann Eason of Kansas City, Missouri, Mitch Holmes and wife Michelle of Clarinda, Iowa and their children Tyler and Kyle, Stephanie Frazer and husband Matt of Golden, Colorado and their children Hannah, Lauren and Isabelle; Curt’s sons, James Eason and wife Elizabeth of Sun Tan Valley, Arizona and their son, Dutch Curtis Eason and Heaven Penrod, Christopher Eason of  Apache Junction, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Mary Eason of Mount Ayr, Iowa and children, Korey Beaman of Creston, Iowa and Kyle Beaman of Mount Ayr, Iowa; son, Michael Alvin Eason and wife Lori of Lamoni, Iowa and their children, Elizabeth, Jennifer, David and Paul Eason, all of Lamoni, Iowa; daughter, Susan Eason and her daughter, Jade Diann Eason of Kansas City, Missouri; brother, Clair ‘Skip’ Eason and wife Donna of Waukee, Iowa; brother-in-law, Rex Morrison of Winterset, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Smith of Vernal, Utah and Ardis Lanzilotta and Dean Johnson of Altoona, Iowa, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
    A memorial fund has been established for a scholarship fund in his name at the Mount Ayr high school. Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
    Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr on Saturday, September 22, 2012, with Elders Tony and Sandra Crandell officiating. Musicians were Deb Cannon and Frank Hudson.
    Casket bearers were Jim Eason, Chris Eason, David Eason, Paul Eason, Kyle Beaman, Korey Beaman, Terry Eason, Trey Eason, Tyler Eason, Ted Eason, Terry Morrison, Dale Morrison, Glenn Morrison, JP Whittington and Clint Whittington.
    Honorary pallbearers included John Whittington, Mike Morrison, Gene McPhearson, Kenneth Johnson, Carroll Johnson, Theron Johnson, Elvin Johnson, Bill Schaefer, Earl McAlexander, Gene Sickels, Royce Dredge, Calvin Adams, Bernard Crawford, Ed Allee, Kenneth Sobotka, Laurance Bishop, Norman Klejch, Bill French, Carlton Greenman and Roland Buck.
    Military rites were conducted by Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Honor Guard Unit.
    Burial was in the Bethel Cemetery in Diagonal.