Erle David Eaton

Erle David Eaton of Givens Hot Springs, Idaho passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 27, 2020 at the age of 72. Erle was born i n Weiser, Idaho to Bert and Nona Faye Eaton. His parents divorced and his mother remarried when Erle was three years old. David, as he was called by his Mother, went to l ive with his Mother and Step-Father Chester Barnes on the family farm i n Vale, Oregon. Much of his time was spent farming and doing farm chores. He also helped with the milking - even on his Birthday and Christmas - he would say when telling his stories. His hobbies i ncluded deer, duck and pheasant hunting. He enjoyed exploring the Bully Creek as a young boy. At the age of sixteen, eager for i ndependence, Erle hired himself out over the summer to work on farms and ranches i n Brogan, Oregon; he returned home with enough money to buy school clothes and Christmas gifts for his family. Working i n Brogan became a summer ritual until the farm was sold and the family moved to Meridian, Idaho, where he graduated i n 1966. Erle attended Boise Junior College receiving a welding certificate. He welded frames for house trailers i n Payette, Idaho for a short time until his optometrist warned him that the welding was causing his eyesight to deteriorate. He returned to farm work until enlisting i n the U.S. Army December 12, 1967. Erle spent three years i n service to our country i ncluding a tour i n Korea delivering j et fuel and nine months i n Vietnam doing aircraft maintenance as crew chief on OV-1 Mohawks. Erle enjoyed telling stories of how he would try to avoid going on flights because he suffered from extreme motion sickness. During his time i n the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Forces Expedition Medal (Korea); Aircraft Crewman Badge and was designated an Expert Marksman with the M-14. After his honorable discharge November 12, 1970, Erle was invited by his Army buddy, Jerry Hedges, to go to work with him on a ranch i n Bruneau, Idaho overseen by Jerry’s father. The following year he followed Jerry i nto working i n the woods as l oggers for companies l ogging near Featherville and Atlanta, Idaho. Erle was hired as a l og hooker under a high l ead. He worked through several l ogging seasons. His j ob i n the woods was one of his favorites. Erle attended truck-driving school i n Indiana and began a career as an over-the-road truck- driver. He drove for Willis Shaw Express, System 99 and retired from Yellow Freight. He had an endearing sense of humor referring to himself not as a truck driver but as a commodity relocator. Upon retiring, Erle continued to to drive part-time for l ocal farmers during harvest; for Tran-System during beet harvest, and for Bonnie Plant. During the transition between Willis Shaw and System 99, Erle worked in a number of manufactured home factories and as a gravel truck driver for Gem County Highway District. On June 10, 1973, Erle married Cynthia Lambeth and on April 28, 1974, the couple welcomed their son, James A. Eaton. Erle not being one to enjoy children, l oved his son and took great pride i n all of his son’s achievements. Erle enjoyed hunting and fishing until his eyesight made those activities too unappealing. He also l oved riding his horses i n the Owyhee Desert, particularly his favorite horse, a registered quarter horse from Challis, Idaho named Beau. In 1990, unable to finance a cattle ranch, Erle and Cynthia purchased twenty acres i n the Opaline Irrigation District and settled i n with their horses, dogs, cats and finally goats. Erle i s survived by his wife, Cynthia; son James (Jennifer); Grandchildren Katie, Lance, Rio and Isabel; Mother Nona Barnes; Sister G. Zoe Higel; Brothers Paul Horne (aka Dennis Bert Eaton) and Stanley C. Barnes. Erle never met a stranger and was often the l ive-wire at the gatherings he attended. He will be dearly missed by relatives and friends. Erle’s remains will be i nterred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. No services are planned at this time. Rest in Peace My Love.