Don Eaves (1930 - 2021)

Born 11 Jun 1930 in Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee

Ancestors

Died 20 Oct 2021 at age 91 in Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee

Biography

Don was born in 1930. He was the son of James Eaves and Ila Edmonds. He passed away in 2021.

Occupations and Activities: In 1948 Don graduated from Tyner High School. He married Ann Schmitt in 1950. Don was in the Army from 1951-53 during the Korean Conflict. After his basic training, he served his active duty in Italy. His wife says he did not see his oldest daughter, Donna, until she was eight months old. After returning home, Don woked at Davenport Hosiery Mill until it closed in 1956. He then joined his father-in-law in purchasing the Highland Park Dry Cleaners. He and J. B. Schmitt operated the White Swan Cleaners on 11th Street in downtown Chattanooga and the Keep-U-Neat Cleaners in East Brainerd. After the dry cleaning chemicals began causing health problems, Don began working as the manager of the electrical department at the Nolan Company. Later he successfully opened his own business, ELS Supply/Landmark Electric. He often joked that "ELS" stood for "Eaves'Last Stand." ELS provided electrical suppplies to utility and other companies. Don retired in 1984.

At this point Don decided to embark on a dream that he had always held. He purchased a large boat and traveled all the rivers from the Missisippi to the Atlantic. Often he was away for weeks at a time. Sometimes his family members joined in his journeys, and other times he sailed alone.

In 1989 the City of Chattanooga changed its form of government from the traditional appointed commission to an elected council. Don represented the East Brainerd/Tyner District from 1989 to 2001.

In 1985 Don Eaves became known as the voice of Abraham Lincoln in Chattanooga and the southeast region. Don's natural attributes, period costumes, and ability to spin a yarn created the basis for oral dramatizations that he presented for 20 years to area schools, civic groups, and churches. He presented an expanded dramatization as Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant at the Back Stage Theater.

Don's numerous community and government contributions as well as his many recognitions and awards are outlined in the attached nomination form for the Tyner High School Hall of Fame.^[1]

Transcript Birth date: abt 1931 Birth place: Tennessee Residence date: 1 Apr 1940 Residence place: Boynton, Catoosa, Georgia, United States Web address http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1940usfedcen&h=52478167&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

Sources

1. ↑ Contributed by niece Ronnelle Blankenship