Thomas C. Eaton, 78, of Redfield, SD, died Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. His funeral will be Friday, January 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Burial will be in the Rockham Cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be Thursday from 2-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Thomas Charles Eaton was born February 13, 1929 in Miller, SD Simon and Wilmina (Throop) Eaton. He grew up in the Rockham area and attended Redfield High School graduating in 1948. He joined the South Dakota National Guard and served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in April 1959. Tom married Joan Mather in 1953 and to this union three sons were born: Jerry, Rocky and Simon. In 1954, he started working for Northwestern Public Service and worked for there for twenty years. In 1974, he formed Eaton and Sons Electric. They did farm, residential and commercial electrical work in eastern South Dakota. From 1981 to 1984, they wired many facilities for the SD Game, Fish and Parks, including the salmon spawning station located in Gettysburg, SD. Tom retired in 1995.

Tom enjoyed many hobbies including hunting and fishing, gardening, camping and boating with his sailboat. He spent many years sharing these hobbies with his family.

The battle with cancer these past few years did not change his walk with the Lord Jesus, nor his loving concern for his family, He will be deeply missed by all.

Tom is survived by his wife Joan of Redfield, three sons: Jerry (Janet) of Rapid City, SD; Rocky (Marie) of Redfield, SD; and Simon (Susan) of Rapid City, SD; nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Mathew in 1980.