Last Updated on June 3, 2018 7:36 pm
Editors Note – Jeff was one of the good guys in the broadcasting/media/news business that I had the pleasure to get to know. Long before I began my media outlets, he had wrote up pieces about big events, and even the no so big events, my band was a part of back in the day. During my radio years I'd see him out and about covering some of the same items, mainly MerleFest. And then when I started my outlets he was beyond helpful when I needed to contact him for any reason. You will be missed my friend – Kenneth Reece
It is with heavy hearts that the High Country community is remembering Jeffrey Scott “Jeff” Eason this weekend. Eason passed away Saturday evening at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson after battling cancer for an extended period of time.
He was a Watauga High School class member of 1978 and earned a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from UNC Chapel Hill in 1983. Eason had worked for multiple newspaper outlets locally after earning his degree.
A celebration of life for Jeff Eason will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, June 7, in the chapel of Hampton Funeral Home, in Boone. The Eason family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. prior to the service.
Memorials may be sent to the Eason family to help with final expenses in care of Chuck Eason 485 Wes Randall Rd. Deep Gap, NC 28618.
Online condolences may be sent to the Eason family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.
Below is Jeff's obituary from Hampton Funeral Home:
April 25, 1960 – June 02, 2018
Born April 25, 1960 in Portsmouth, Va., Jeff was afforded the opportunity to travel the country and live in several locations during childhood and adolescence due to his father’s career in the U.S. Coast Guard. In later years, he loved sharing stories with friends about those experiences in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Alabama, Michigan and Hawaii. Jeff was in high school when the family settled in Triplett.
He graduated from Watauga High School in 1978, and later from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1983 with a degree in journalism.
For the last 25 years, he was employed by The Mountain Times, Watauga Democrat and was most recently the managing editor of The Blowing Rocket.
Jeff was a prolific writer and award-winning journalist; his Sweet Tea and Lemon column was read and loved by many people both near and far.
A man of many interests and talents, Jeff was an accomplished musician and possessed a vast and broad knowledge of music, the arts, pop culture, current events, cooking, gardening and sports, especially UNC basketball and Detroit Tigers baseball.
He was a great supporter of local musicians and helped promote many on their climb to stardom. He was a great encourager especially to his niece, Eliza, and often accompanied her during her local performances.
He was perhaps Merlefest’s greatest fan and looked forward to not only promoting and reviewing the festival, but also attending it every year and camping out with friends down by the river during the entire event.
Jeff possessed a deep love for the High Country, its people and the places therein. According to his (former) wife, when they decided to get married, there was never any question about where they would live.
He also loved the beach and found solace at the Outer Banks for the last 12 years with his in-laws.
As literally hundreds of postings on FaceBook will attest, Jeff touched the lives of and was admired and adored by countless people in the NC High Country and beyond.
Jeff exhibited dignity, humor and courage during his health struggles, just as he had done prior to his diagnosis.
Jeff was predeceased by his mother Anne Robbins Eason. He is survived by his father Chuck Eason, brother Greg Eason and wife Heidi, all of Triplett, niece Eliza Eason of Triplett, three cousins Theresa Mosteller of Vilas, Don Langdon of Palm Beach, Fla., and Rick Ruckart of Charlotte. He is also survived by his former wife, Leslie Eason, who remained a dear friend and supporter to the end.
A celebration of life for Jeff Eason will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, June 7, in the chapel of Hampton Funeral Home, in Boone. The Eason family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. prior to the service.
Memorials may be sent to the Eason family to help with final expenses in care of Chuck Eason 485 Wes Randall Rd. Deep Gap, NC 28618.
Online condolences may be sent to the Eason family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
