Al Eason

Mr. Al Eason passed away peacefully on April 22, 2016. He was born on May 25, 1925, to Emma and Alcuin Eason in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he lived all of his life until he moved to Bermuda Run, North Carolina in 2000. He was a faithful Christian and life-long member of the United Methodist Church: Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. He served his country with honor and distinction in the United States Navy during World War II, and was stationed in the Philippines. After the war, Al returned to Fayetteville to continue his studies at the University of Arkansas where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1948, he graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and shortly after graduation, he married his loving wife of 67 years, Marilyn Hoag Eason of Texarkana, Arkansas. In business, Al was president of Eason and Company, a third-generation president of the general insurance agency established in 1888 by his grandfather, John Thomas Eason. In 1953, Al founded and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Savings & Loan Association. He served as president of the Arkansas Savings and Loan League, trustee of the U.S. Savings and Loan Foundation, and committee member of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions' National Legislative Council. For 21 years, he also served as a board member of Southwestern Electric Power Company. Throughout his career, Al was a leader in civic, community, church, and educational endeavors, working to improve the quality of life for others. Among his numerous roles, he was President of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the Fayetteville Boy's Club, and Downtown Fayetteville Unlimited; Chairman of the Board of the Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville; and Board member of the Fayetteville United Fund. Al was devoted to his family, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; one daughter, Melinda Eason Knight, and her husband, Dr. Thomas Knight of Austin, Texas; one son, Stephen Alcuin Eason, and his wife, Kathryn, of Durham, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Dr. Gregory Knight of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kimberly Knight Hart, JD, and her husband, Mike, of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Stephen Knight and his wife, Dr. Anna Knight, of Detroit, Michigan, Elizabeth Eason of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Emma Eason of Dallas, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Danny Hart, son of Kimberly and Mike, and Elizabeth Ann Knight, daughter of Stephen and Anna. The family would like to thank the ministers of Clemmons United Methodist Church, and caregivers at Bermuda Village and Visiting Angels for their love and support. Friends and family will gather for a reception and memorial service celebrating Al Eason's life on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. The reception will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Clemmons United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, or your charity of choice. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com (Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel).