John Eaves

MADISON
Eaves, John Patrick
"Look for the helpers. " Mr. Rogers' mother told him when he was afraid. "There are always helpers. " John Patrick Eaves was a helper; he saved people. His calling was to save soldiers, save men, save women, save children, save pets, save buildings - all the time, every time. John was born the second son to Robert Paul Eaves and Eileen Rose Foley Eaves on February 8, 1950 at St Elizabeth's Hospital in Wabasha, MN, his parent's hometown. Big brother Paul was only 1. His Dad was a WWII Marine vet going to college on the GI Bill. The little family lived in Tommy Town on the campus of the College of St. Thomas, grew to include three more brothers, four sisters and countless pets. John attended St. Marks in Saint Paul and St. Jerome's in Maplewood. John always had a job, working first at the World in downtown Saint Paul and then at other Mann theaters. Upon graduation from Kellogg High (Roseville) in 1968, at age of 19 he volunteered to join the Army during the height of the Vietnam War. John served as a combat medic in the 1st Cavalry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Battalion. 503rd Infantry, B Company, 75th Ranger(N) Company. As a medic he found his calling, saving lives. John was recognized for heroism in combat, awarded 2 Bronze Star Medals for Valor and a Purple Heart. He lost many good friends in battle and many later. John was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) 8 years ago due to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He lost his battle to that illness at age 68 on November 19, 2018 at the Veteran's Hospital in Madison WI. John died peacefully with his family at his side.
Upon discharge at age 21, John was a constant companion to his three younger brothers, Peter, Michael and Bill; jamming in Mom's basement, strumming guitars and marching in the St Patrick's Day parade, listening to music at Uncle Sam's, attending professional wrestling and wrestling each other; the list goes on. After working at the stockyards in South Saint Paul, John became a lifelong vegetarian. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1978 with a degree in Political Science. In 1979 John joined the Minneapolis Fire Department. Many of his best stories are from those 21 years. In 1983 he met the love of his life, Linda, at the 400 Bar on the West Bank. They married 4 months later. On John's birthday in 1989, his beloved daughter Samantha was born. John and Linda raised their daughter amidst a parade of dogs in South Minneapolis during his service with the fire department. In 2000 he retired and moved to Madison, WI, his wife's hometown, to be near Linda's Grandmother and extended family. There, Linda, a CPA, joined her father's accounting practice. In Madison, John became an avid Badgers and Packers fan. As a lover of books, he chose to work at a bookstore, and enjoyed relating many more stories about his work there. John devoted his life to his family caring for his Grandson Rom every day for almost 4 years even when he was gravely ill. He was a big kid at heart; a vegetarian, a man of peace, a lover of music(the Beatles and Dylan), an avid player of guitar and chess, a spinner of yarns, a reader of literature, history, philosophy, sci-fi, a fan of Westerns, Film Noir, an observer of the absurdities of life, a puller of pranks at his fire station(Engine 6 voted most fun engine), a lover of dogs, a dance partner of his wife, a playmate and caregiver of his grandson, an inspiration to his daughter, the rock of his family, a prince of men.
John was preceded in death by his father, Robert Paul Eaves, his grandparents John R. Foley and Ellen "Nellie" Brennan Foley, Robert Paul Eaves and Blanche Schumacher Eaves, Father and Mother-in-law Warren and Gerry Randy of Madison, six Foley uncles, three Foley aunts and three cousins, Susan Ferron, Patrick Foley and Monica Wicks. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Linda Randy Eaves, daughter Samantha DesJardins (Rom), Grandson Rom Stanley DesJardins, mother Eileen Foley Eaves, brothers Paul (Kathi Rickert), Peter, Michael, Bill; sisters Kathi Ryks (Dan), Patricia (Stuart Alger), Mary Thompson (Rick), Kelly Trygg (Brian); in-laws Claudia and Willie Haus, 37 first cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Rest in peace, our beloved Silver-tongued Angel.
Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery 1:45 PM Friday, December 7th, assembly area 2. A celebration of life to follow at 3pm Unity Church Unitarian, 733 Portland Ave., St. Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rom Stanley DesJardins Savings Account, Chase Bank, 602 N. High Point Road, Madison, WI 53717 or to www.gofundme.com/john-patrick-eaves-memorial-fund

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434