Published: October 08, 2009 09:50 am      

Orville L. (Bud) Eaton

Orville L. (Bud) Eaton, 81, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at Eastgate Village in Muskogee.

Viewing will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Bradley Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee. Masonic graveside services will be at Greenhill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bradley Funeral Service of Muskogee.

Born June 30, 1928, in Covington, Ky., he was the son of Orville Eaton and Minnie Mae Holloway Eaton. When he was 13, he came to Oklahoma to live with his aunt and uncle.

He married Joan Virginia Guinn on Dec. 26, 1950, at First Lutheran Church.

He was a Korea war veteran, having served with the 45th Division of the United States Army.

He graduated from Northeastern State University in 1954. He began his 45 year career in education with the McAlester Public Schools, where he coached speech, debate and drama. While there, he started the annual musical review “Montage.” After 10 years in McAlester, he joined the Muskogee Public Schools and served in several positions over a period of 34 years.

As a speech and debate coach he took many students to national forensic competitions. He was perhaps best known for the annual musical productions he directed with Muskogee High School.

He served as Dean of Students for Bacone College briefly before returning to the Muskogee Schools.

Following retirement, he served two terms as mayor of Muskogee. He was known for his civic involvement. He served on many local boards and committees over the years including the original Azalea Festival Committee, Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Muskogee Port Board, WISH, Kelly B. Todd Center, Bicentennial Committee and many, many others.

He chartered the McAlester Optimist Club and served as president of Muskogee and McAlester’s Optimist Club three separate terms and as Lt. Governor for Oklahoma Optimist Clubs.

He was active in Freemasonry as a member of the Scottish and York Rites, achieved the 33rd Degree, KCCH, and was a member of the Shrine and a Jester. He directed the Masonic Easter pageant in McAlester for 19 years.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon.

Survivors include three sons, Jim and wife, Kathryn Eaton, Kenny Eaton, and David and wife, Lisa Eaton, all of Muskogee; daughter, Kathy and husband, Ron Straub, Great Bend, Kan.

Also, 10 grandchildren, Kristy and Randy Rein, Rory Eaton, Darren Straub, Matthew and Maggie Eaton, Levi and Robin Eaton, Andrew Eaton, Andrea Eaton, Kirklyn Eaton, Breyer Eaton and Walker Eaton.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Eaton, Andrew Eaton, Darren Straub, Levi Eaton, Rory Eaton, Breyer Eaton and Walker Eaton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Hufer, Don Martray, Frankie Borovetz, Jim Wilson, Pat Guinn, Danny Guinn and Mike Guinn.

Memorials may be made to the transportation of children to the Bedouin Shine Transportation Fund or to the Masonic Temple Restoration Fund, in care of the Bradley Funeral Service.