Harold Ray Eakes, a lifelong coon hunter finally loaded up the dogs and went to his eternal house. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family. Born in Rutherford, TN in his grandmother’s home on September 15, 1943 while his father served in World War II, he spent his early life in Gibson County, TN. He graduated from Hapeville High School in Hapeville, GA in 1961. Later he moved to Memphis, TN where he married his loving wife Shirley on December 17, 1977. He passed at his home in Jackson, TN due to complications of COPD on November 6, 2015 at 2:01 PM.
His parents, H.M. Eakes and Vertrice Eakes, precede him in death. He is survived by his wife Shirley Eakes; daughter Melinda Eakes Pearson wife of Jeff Pearson of Germantown, TN; son Tracy Eakes, husband of Christa Eakes of Charlotte, NC; step-daughter Sherry Moore Thompson widow of Jim Thompson of Jackson, TN; step-son David Moore husband of Debbie Moore of Byhalia, MS; and step-daughter Teresea Moore Etienne wife of Rick Etienne of Mt. Vernon, IL. His blended family gave him nine grand children and eleven great grand children. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.
He was a Freemason and a Shriner with the Al Chymia Shrine in Memphis, TN. He also was a member of the Browns Community Ruritan Club in Jackson, TN.
He retired from Roadway Express in Memphis, TN as a garage operations manager in 2000. Relocating to Jackson in his retirement, he pursued his love of the outdoors and his passion for coonhounds. He had many dogs over the years, but it was only his housedog, Buddy, that was allowed to ride in the cab of his pickup.
There were many hounds and hunting buddies that shared his life. As you look to the night sky, and hear the sound of hounds in the wind, it may just be Harold, Tommy and Bee running the dogs one more time.
SERVICES: A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, November 9, 2015 in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Entombment will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Arrington Funeral Directors.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN
731/ 668-1111
www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com
