Kenneth Dale Eaton passed away on September 28, 2026, at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.

Kenneth was born on August 3, 1938, at the Bay family home in Morris, Oklahoma, the son of Gordon Hubert Eaton and Alverta (Bay) Eaton. He was just seven weeks old when his father passed away in September 1938, and he was raised in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where his mother later remarried Joseph Melvin Milroy, who helped raise Kenneth alongside his older brother, Gordon Hubert II, and his younger sister, Jennie Jo.

Kenneth graduated from Okmulgee High School, where he served as a teacher's assistant for three years and was the stage manager for the senior play. He went on to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, earning his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management in January 1962. At OSU he was a member of Alpha Pi Mu honor society and the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, where he served as publicity chairman.

In January 1962, the same month he graduated, Kenneth married his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Peggy" Anne Crutchmer, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Okmulgee. He began his engineering career at Tinker Air Force Base before joining Rockwell International in Tulsa in 1964, where he held a variety of industrial engineering and leadership roles. During his career, he contributed to major aerospace programs including the Boeing 747, 757, 767, B-1B, Tomahawk, Sabreliner, Sikorsky, Apollo missions, and Space Shuttle projects. He also developed training materials for new engineers and taught Engineering Economy courses. From 1981 to 1986, he operated his own property management business before returning to Rockwell in 1986, where he helped modernize 747 assembly planning and scheduling. He retired in 1992 after a successful career spanning more than three decades.

Kenneth and Peggy made their home together over the years in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, raising four children. Their first son, David Allen, was born in May 1962, followed by their second son, Brian Douglas, in May 1963. Their daughter Teresa "Tracey" Marie arrived in April 1965, and their youngest, Rae Anne, was born in June 1971.

Outside of work, Kenneth loved hunting, fishing, and gardening, but treasured nothing more than the time he spent with his family. When their children were young, many weekends were spent at area lakes, where the family enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and water skiing. He and Peggy shared a love of travel, enjoying many cruises together and traveling throughout North America in their motor home, making lifelong friends and collecting stories along the way. Kenneth never met a stranger and loved visiting with people, whether sharing stories, exchanging good jokes, or catching up with friends old and new. He especially looked forward to family reunions, and he never missed an opportunity to join in the spirited domino tournaments that brought laughter, camaraderie, and a little friendly competition to every gathering.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Hubert Eaton; his mother, Alverta (Bay) Milroy; his stepfather, Joseph Melvin Milroy; his sister, Jennie Jo (Milroy) Shull; and his granddaughter, Allison Maggy Eaton.

He is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Peggy; his children, David Allen Eaton (Dawn) of Gaylord, Michigan, Brian Douglas Eaton of Wichita, Kansas, Tracey McAnally (Kevin) of Broken Arrow, and Rae Anne Lawrence (Steve) of Edmond; his grandchildren, Kip (Lauren), Aaron, and Jacob Herburger (Sydney); Lauren Rhoades (Drew); Connor (Mikayla) and William Lawrence; and Lilliana, Lainee, and Everly Eaton; his great-grandchildren, Paisley and Dakota Rhoades; Jack and Dean Herburger; and Isla and Luna Smith; and his older brother, Gordon Eaton.

A rosary will be held 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 6, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 am both at Saint Anne's Catholic Church in Broken Arrow.