Eddie Eddington

In the stillness of the night and in the warmth of his family’s love and adoration, Eddie Wayne Eddington peacefully slipped into the realms of eternity on January 14, 2017 in Longview after a brief illness.

His life will be honored in services under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater. Family will receive friends on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. at Croley Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel in Gladewater with Don Stanaland and Sean Eddington officiating. Interment will follow at Union Grove Cemetery.

Born to AB and Francis (Rice) Eddington on July 14, 1939 in the Indian Nation, Oklahoma, Eddie showed his athletic prowess at an early age. He was quick, agile and understood any game he played to its upmost, integral detail. He grew up in Madill, Oklahoma before moving to Hawkins in 1955 where he graduated from Hawkins High School in 1957. He went on to serve his country for six years in the Army Reserves and then set about to raise a family with his loving wife, Linda Sue (Jerden) Eddington in Union Grove.

During their 52 years of marriage, they raised three sons, Robin, Shelby, and Jason. Eddie reared his sons with the same love of sports, fierce work ethic, and fiery pursuit of passions that would come to define his life and legacy.
He coached his sons along with so many others during his tenure in the Gladewater/Union Grove Youth Baseball Association. He served in various capacities in the association and had a true knowledge and love for the game of baseball.

Known as Fast Eddie, he spent many a shift living up to his nickname as a machine operator at Stroh’s Brewery before retiring after 31 years. He worked long and hard hours but still found time to tend to his cows and raise and train registered Walker Wolf Hounds.

He was a lifetime member of the Texas Fox and Wolf Hunters Association and was well-respected for his consistency in producing championship dogs.

He spent his retirement years operating his own fox and wolf pen and sharing his adventures with his friends and family.
An avid hunter, sportsman, gardener, and reader, Eddie was never idle and was as tough as they come. Tough, that is, until grandchildren entered his life. His grandchildren, the real loves of his life, softened him and made him reflective of the life he had lived. He humorously shared those insights with his grandchildren to help lead them to the road less traveled.

He was, as described by a nurse, “one of those people who cross our path and make an impression on us.” Eddie’s impression on the lives of his family and those who loved him will continue for generations and will survive the shadows of time.

Left to cherish his memory and carry his legacy are his wife, Sue Eddington of Union Grove; son and daughter-in law, Jason and Rhonda Eddington of Union Grove; son, Shelby Eddington of Tyler; grandson and his wife, Sean and Kayla Eddington of Genoa, Arkansas; grandson and his wife, Chase and Megan Eddington of West Tawakoni, Texas; granddaughter, Heather Moore of Union Grove; granddaughter, Johnna Eddington of Heber Springs, Arkansas; grandson, Skyler Eddington of Tyler; grandson, Brett Eddington of Damascus, Arkansas; grandson and his wife, Dustin and Lauren Hardin of New Diana; grandson, Colin Hardin of Union Grove; granddaughter, Raegan Hardin of Union Grove; great-grandchildren, Eli Moore, Carter Adkins, and Hagen Hardin; brother and sister-in law, Bennie and Jeri Eddington of Madill, Oklahoma; brother and sister-in law, Rudy and Judy Eddington of Shelbyville, Texas; sister and brother-in law, Phyllis and Jerry Watson of Gallatin, Tennessee; brother and sister-in law, Timothy and Terri Eddington of Shreveport, Louisiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Robin Wayne Eddington; his grandson, Zachary Wayne Eddington; and his brother, Jimmy Neal Eddington.