Jearold Clay Eakins, 75, died January 29th surrounded by family at his home in Apopka, FL after a year-long battle with cancer. Jerry was born on February 7, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky to Marion and Susan Eakins. He served in the United States Air Force as a radar repairman from 1961-1965. He then received a Bachelor of Science in marine biology from University of West Florida in 1969 and had a long, successful career for over 30 years as a health physicist for the State of Florida. He married Janice Ream on May 3, 1963, and together raised 3 sons, Nathaniel, Matthew and Jonathan. Jerry was an active member of Antique Automobile Club of America, Wekiva Presbyterian Church and a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes. He also enjoyed fishing, restoring antique cars, traveling, and spending time with his family. Jerry was known as a “handyman” and could fix most things mechanical or electrical. He gladly gave his time to help his friends and family. He is survived by his wife, 3 sons, 6 grandchildren and 2 brothers.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 30th at 3:30 pm at Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, FL.
The family requests donation to Loaves and Fishes in Apopka, http://www.loavesandfishesapopka.com/donation-cart.htm in lieu of flowers.
Service
Memorial Service
Wekiva Presbyterian Church
211 Wekiva Springs Ln, Longwood, FL 32779
3:30pm
PHILIP THOMA says
Jerry was a good man, a good friend and good colleague. I regret that circumstances prevented me from seeing him in the later years of his life. He will be in my prayers.
Reno Fabii says
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Jerry at the BRC. He was a great mentor and teacher. We still mention the “Chuck & Jerry Show”, referring to the field team training they conducted prior to each Power Plant drill. He made it fun and informative at the same time. Jerry kept the buildings and systems at the BRC labs working, be it plumbing , electrical or carpentry, Jerry could repair anything. I have modeled my management style after him. I regret not stopping by to see him one last time. I thought we had more time. We here at the environmental lab stand on the solid foundation that Jerry built in the emergency response section. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
John Williamson says
I am so sorry for your loss.
I was fortunate to have an office next to Jerry from October 1, 1992 till the day he retired. He was a great example as a manager and fellow employee. Jerry was always willing to assist me with items that needed to be fixed, whether work or home related and I owe much of my confidence in fixing broken items to the can do attitude I learned from him.
As the administrator of the environmental radiation program, I have a sincere appreciation for the programs that Jerry built, including a legacy of the state mobile emergency radiological labs, excellence in power plant drills and space launches and most of all, the strong foundation of emergency response training provided for first responders throughout the state. Even after retirement, Jerry was able to provide answers to questions about our equipment and programs.
I will sincerely miss his company.
Don Mothena says
I have known Jerry for more than 35 years and I can safely say I have known a finer gentlemen thanJerry. He was smart, kind, funny, understanding and a true professional. I was truly blessed calling him a friend. We have lost one of the good ones. I f8nd comfort that he is finally at rest in our Lords hands. My sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones. RIP Jerry
Annette Morrison says
Jerry will be greatly missed by his breakfast buddies at Argo’s. He was a great friend and always there to help me out at the car shows at my church.
Ray and Annette Morrison
Debbie Gilley says
Dear Jan,
You are in my prayers, I will miss his Contagious laughter and storytelling. He was a true friend to me, opening doors to the great Bureau of Radiation Control adventure. Those who knew him are missing something in their hearts today.
Debbie Gilley
CarolAnn Inbornone says
Jan:
I am sorry for your family’s loss. What wonderful and fond memories I have meeting Jerry years ago while working with the State. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend to me and so many people. He was truly a wonderful and caring person, always willing to help when we were out on the emergency response teams and in the field. Those were some of the best times. When I left the State, I was still able to stay In contact with him and Chuck. Meeting up for breakfast or lunch. I know so many of us will miss his outgoing personality and contagious laugh. May the comfort of God help you during this time of need.
Jay Maisler says
My heartfelt condolences to Jerry’s family. I worked with Jerry in the 1980s remember his professionalism, humor and energy. May Jerry’s memory bring you comfort and peace.
Kevin Nelson says
Jan;
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I was a health physicist and Radiation Safety Officer at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville from 1995 to 2014. I had many occasions to get to know Jerry at the Florida Chapter Health Physics Society meetings. He was very knowledgeable and always had great stories. He had an infectious laugh which I will always remember. After 9/11, he helped me put some radiation safety training together for first responders in the Jacksonville area. He will be missed by all!
Kevin Nelson
Don Ulrey says
My wife Becky is Jerry’s cousin, so I was fortunate enough to become part of his family. Jerry and I became very good friends over the years and we’ve had some really good times, both in their home in Florida and our home in Indiana. He has always been like the brother I never had and I’ll never forget the times we sat in the hot tub on his lanai, drank a few Corona’s and talked about anything imaginable. The Lord truly blessed Jerry with his family and friends, and we can have comfort in knowing that he’s now with Jesus. We’ll miss you Jerry and we love you!
Bill Grimes says
Jerry sent us old timers an e-mail that the cancer had won and he was in home hospice.
It was just like Jerry handled problems on the job.
When I would start to wine he would point out those are the facts let’s deal with them.
So he faced death with these are the facts and this is how I am dealing with them.
A true man of courage