John Eatinger

John Frederic was born in the vast farmlands of Kansas to Fred Leeson Eatinger and Loretta Mae Sessler. At a very young age, John was close to the land. As a toddler, John learned to ride a horse and preferred to ride over walking. He never lost his love of horses. He loved playing outside with his dog Tippy, and with his younger brother, Robert Blaine, spending hours pushing and pulling his red wagon, enjoying watermelons from the neighbor’s watermelon patch, and working in the local grocery after school.The family moved to Fresno, CA in 1938 where John attended and graduated high school. After one year of university studies he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country in the South Pacific during World War II, after which he began his career in the food brokerage business in Boise, Idaho. He later moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico and finally settled in Albuquerque, becoming a Vice President for Brown Kime Brokerage Company. An entrepreneur at heart, over the years in Albuquerque John owned and managed a small restaurant in old town, sold building supplies, owned a gas station, and retired from his travel trailer rental and sales business in 1988. A child of the depression, John had a powerfully strong work ethic, his motto being “don’t let your work push you, you push your work.” He didn’t put off until tomorrow what could be done today. He believed in taking care of what and who he loved. He was a long time member of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo sheriff’s posse. At one time, John owned a beautiful chestnut colored horse, with a blond mane and tail. Titan was difficult to handle but he followed John’s every command. Together they proudly took the lead in the grand entry parade of fellow horsemen into Tingly Coliseum before the annual rodeos. John was introduced to Mollie Papen and they married March 7th, 1981. They had many wonderful years together traveling on long vacations to eastern and western Canada, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, Yellowstone and to Canyon Lands. They also loved their trips to New York City and Los Angeles to visit family and friends and to see stage shows. They had 16 summers at Delores & Ouray, Colorado in their motor home and spent many wonderful hours by the river with friends and family. They had much fun together in their motorhome.John loved the outdoors, his home and yard. He enjoyed creating a beautiful yard, and he especially enjoyed cultivating his roses. Neighbors would come just to see his rose garden. He spent many long hours sitting in his yard enjoying the fruits of his labor. He and Mollie entertained a great deal in their beautiful back yard. His greatest passion was his family. He was married to his loving wife Mollie for 32 years. He was proud of his daughter, Melissa, and he enjoyed spending time with Melissa and her husband Lee at their home in Santa Fe. Known as “Grandpa Tall,” John adored his two grandchildren, Chris Balkcom and Ben Balkcom. Family gatherings were the highlight of John’s life. Family times together were filled with quantum laughter, eating and fun. He was thrilled to celebrate his grandsons’ graduating from college and to see Chris marry Morgann Smith in September.John was a very personable man, never meeting a stranger. He enjoyed visiting with people and could strike up a conversation about many topics, including current world events, as he was an avid world-news enthusiast. He could also quote the current wheat prices, provide up-to-date weather details from all over the country and cite what the Dow did on any given day. He had a great mind for numbers, news and weather trivia.He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. His family is very grateful for all the many loving visits, prayers and well-wishes during his last days. If friends desire, memorial contributions may be make in John’s name to Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice Inpatient Unit, P.O. Box 26666, Albuquerque, NM 87125.

John Eatinger

November 28, 1923 - February 20, 2013