Victor "Vic" Eachon, Jr., 96
Victor Eachon Jr. went home to glory Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was 96 years old. Vic was born Aug. 4, 1926, to Victor Sr. and Emily Brandon Eachon in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born at their home on Lincoln Way and arrived to the joy of his big brother, Bob.
Vic attended Winton Grade School (the school his great-grandson now attends) and the original Coeur d’Alene High School, where he was a proud Viking Yell Leader! The area he grew up in was known as the Gibbs neighborhood; Vic and Bob were charter members of the ‘Gibbs Gang,’ known for swimming across the river and back, an area home to a longtime lumber mill now known as Riverstone.
Vic helped build Farragut Naval Training Station, and he went to boot camp at Farragut after joining the Navy when he turned 18, serving in the Pacific during WWII. Upon returning, he helped dismantle that same base. He always talked fondly of his Navy days and never missed a Veterans Day service, VFW Auxiliary dinner or chance to honor those who didn’t come home.
Vic’s mom was wise; she knew her boys would be short in stature. She was only 4 feet, 10 inches, so she got them into boxing early so they could take care of themselves. Vic continued to box in the featherweight division while in the Navy. He never lost the strength in his grip or the quick moves he developed as a young man.
Shortly after returning from the Navy, and still sporting a cast due to a car accident with his Navy buddies, he met his future wife, Kathy, while in downtown Coeur d’Alene. He always claimed it was her legs he noticed first! And soon after, they were dating! They always laughed at the memory of him taking her away from his best friend! It was meant to be. They were married Dec. 20, 1947, for 72 years, when she passed away in 2020. Vic never recovered from losing the love of his life.
Vic hunted and fished his entire life and taught his sons and son-in-law to do the same; they had several special hunting camps near the headwaters of the St. Joe River.
Vic held many jobs at the beginning of their marriage; a Coeur d’Alene taxi driver was one. He often claimed he could get to Missoula faster than anyone. No one argued. He was also a sawyer at the old Ohio Match mill and a logger, both dangerous jobs he did well. In 1957, he went to work in Bayview alongside his wife and father-in-law at the Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Acoustic Research Detachment. He began his career as a welder. However, he retired as the Maintenance and Operations foreman. After his retirement in 1986, he and Kathy volunteered, were active in their church, gardened, enjoyed family events and traveled. Vic taught himself to make garlic dill pickles, lots of them! One fall, he made 265 quarts. He made a name for himself as ‘The Pickle Man’ when he began donating them to fundraisers for organizations like VFW Auxiliary and the Post Falls Historical Society and Museum; the record was set at a North Idaho Christian School auction, when two jars made $1,200!
Vic loved watching the Mariners, the Zags and occasionally the Seahawks! He always said he planned to live long enough to see the Mariners in the World Series! It was not to be!
Vic was preceded in death by his wife, parents and brother Bob. His children survive him: Judy (Chris) Thompson of Sagle, Idaho; Dave and Carol Ann Eachon of Athol, Idaho; Susie (Darwin) Huber of Beulah, N.D., and Steve and Patti Eachon of Rathdrum, Idaho. Vic leaves 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Vic’s family would like to thank the staff at Wellspring Meadows for the care and love they gave him in the year since he moved out of his 45-year residence on Eachon Boulevard. In addition, they would like to acknowledge Hospice of North Idaho for making his last days peaceful.
Instead of flowers, donations in his name to Hospice of North Idaho and VFW local 889 are appreciated.
A service celebrating Vic’s life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Yates Funeral Home at 373 E. Hayden Ave., in Hayden, Idaho. Reception to follow. Burial, with military honors, will be held at 2 p.m. at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Yates Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements. Please visit Vic’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
