Obituaries : James Eaton

James Eaton, age 99, of Alta, Iowa died Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Graveside services will take place Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama, Iowa. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements.

James Eaton was born on March 19, 1924 to Floyd and Minnie Eaton in Vinton, Iowa. He was the second of eight children. James attended school in Garrison, IA. He joined the Army in 1945 and served as a sergeant during World War II and was stationed in Germany. When he was honorably discharged, he went to work with a service buddy at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance. There he became a field rep for reinsurance and loss control of Grinnell affiliated mutuals in Iowa, traveling the entire state.

On August 12, 1951, James was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Moyer of Tama. Together they were blessed with two sons: James Carl and John Floyd.

They lived in Grinnell prior to moving to Alta in 1960, a community he picked to bring his new family to after traveling the state for years. Ted Olson and James formed Olson Eaton Svendsen Insurance in Alta. He was the manager of BV Mutual for 25 years, and served on the board of Grinnell Mutual for 20 years. James served as President of the Alta School Board, Mayor of Alta, President of Iowa Mutual Insurance Association, and belonged to Masons and Shriners. He was inducted in the Insurance Hall of Fame of Iowa, volunteered with Trees Forever, and provided and planted many trees in Alta.

James and Shirley enjoyed traveling, working with trees and flowers at their home, and wood carving.

James is survived by his son, James Carl (Linda), sister Maria Eaton of Des Moines and sister-in-law Carolyn Eaton of Creston, numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his son, John, wife Shirley, his parents, Shirley's parents, Carl and Gladys Moyer, and six siblings.