John McCurdy Eakin

John McCurdy Eakin

John McCurdy Eakin, age 93, of Mechanicsburg, passed away at Carlisle Regional Medical Center on Monday, November 20, 2017.  John was born on Saturday, September 13, 1924 in Harrisville to the late Alvin Isaac Eakin and Lily (McCurdy) Eakin.  In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his three brothers and a sister.

John’s survivors include his son, J. Michael Eakin and his wife, Heidi; his two daughters: Kathleen Eakin and her husband, Jeffrey Smith, and Marilyn Chamberlin and her husband Rodney; his four grandchildren: Michael Patrick Eakin, Zachary John Eakin, Elizabeth Smith, and Chase Carter; his two great grandchildren: Clark John Eakin and Nora Lillian Eakin; his two sisters: Joyce Gooding, and Carol Bubb and her husband, Fred; and his numerous nieces and nephews.

John served as a Captain in the Field Artillery corps of the active Marine Corps and the Reserves for 19 years.  He was a member of Masonic Lodge 302, serving as Worshipful Master in 1963.  He joined the Mechanicsburg Judo Club at age 59, and later won several National Tournaments.  He enjoyed helping youngsters learn the basics of the sport.

John enjoyed crosswords and other puzzles, and a happy hour glass of chardonnay.  He stopped smoking cigars thirty years ago, but said he didn’t “quit”, because if you quit, you must lecture people about smoking; he just hadn’t had one in thirty years.

After flirtations with the mandolin and ocarina, John found happiness with his baritone horn, taking weekly lessons and playing with the Bell Band.  If he learned it was your birthday, you might get an anonymous horn rendition of Happy Birthday over the phone.

John loved fishing.  He took his grandsons fishing for carp in the Conodoguinet, and salmon at the cabin he owned on the Kenai Peninsula.  He fished from Cuba to Quebec, Baja to Boston, from Key West to the Aleutian Islands.  On his last 4-day Alaskan fly-in trip, a month short of turning 91, he out-fished the whole camp, catching the most fish every day and the biggest fish every day – when the other fisherman suggested he go easier on them, he told them he was just giving them lessons.

John opened his law office in 1951, one of three members of his high school class to do so.  He practiced on the town square for 66 years until his retirement earlier this year; his practice was largely “whatever came in the door”, and his clients were as eclectic as their cases.  He was the first and longtime counsel for DAFCU and Members 1st Federal Credit Union.  His pro bono work was substantial before the notion of pro bono became fashionable, though he never mentioned it nor sought recognition for it.

John served as President of the Cumberland County Bar Association in 1978.  He always took great pride in the local Bar, as its members were invariably honest, competent, and amiable.  He enjoyed nothing more than a good argument with a good lawyer on the other side.  We hope enough other lawyers have made it to Heaven so the discussions can continue.

All are welcome to join John’s family at his gathering of family and friends on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 203 South Filbert Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Hoshik Kang and Reverend Kevin E. Hughes officiating.  Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery.  John’s family invites friends to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Snapper’s immediately following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of John’s life can be made to the charity of the donor’s choosing.  John’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read John’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.