Donald Eaker

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Donald Wayne Eaker, 84, of Marble Hill, Missouri, passed away Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at Woodland Hills Nursing Home in Marble Hill.

He was born April 7, 1932, in Lutesville, Missouri, to the late Emerson L. and Lavinia Mae Tinnin Eaker. On June 22, 1965, he married Colleen Howard. They celebrated their 51st anniversary this past year.

Don served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954 as a hospital corpsman in San Diego and the Philippines. He very much enjoyed his years of service and had many good stories of the experiences.

In 1974, he opened his first tattoo salon, A Different Drummer, in Fenton, Missouri. In 1977, he moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, opening a shop there and later one in Arlington, Texas, and Cape Girardeau. He was vice president of the National Tattoo Association from 1988 to 1992 and president of the association from 1993 to 1997. He retired in 1998, sold all his shops, and moved back to his hometown of Marble Hill in 2000.

Don served as mayor of Marble Hill, beginning in 2002. He and Colleen enjoyed traveling, and made many trips out of country.

Don enjoyed many hobbies -- wood carving, scrimshaw, jewelry and knife-making, plus many more too numerous to mention. He was very good at anything he pursued, earning many awards through the years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shrine clown.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Kerry W. Eaker of Wichita Falls; two grandsons; two great-grandsons; and a brother, Terry Eaker of Marble Hill.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hutchings Funeral Home in Marble Hill.