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Obituary for James A. Eustace
James A Eustace, 82, of Brookings, died April 15, 2012 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene following a brief illness. He was born September 8, 1929 in Nutter Fort, West Virginia to John R. and Vivian Eustace. Mr. Eustace enlisted in the United States Army on September 11, 1946 at Ft. Hayes, Ohio and began his 27 years of distinguished service to our country. He was barely 21 years old when his company was sent to Korea to make the invasion at Inchon. In 1952, while stationed at Ft. Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, he met Cynthia Kronauge. They were married after a 6-week courtship. In 1956 the couple was transferred to Knoxville, Tennessee where Cindy completed nurses training and worked in a hospital while Jim took military assignments in Europe. They later moved to Fairbanks, Alaska and in 1964 were transferred to Columbus, Georgia. Jim was later assigned to Southeast Asia, and upon his return from that tour, was transferred to Newport News, VA. From there Jim accepted an assignment in Rangoon, Burma and Cindy was able to accompany him. They lived there for several years and enjoyed their many varied experiences in Burma. Jim retired from military service on October 31, 1973. By this time the Eustaces were living in Atlanta, Georgia where Jim worked as an executive for a corporation for two years. In 1976 he accepted a position at American Banker’s Insurance Company in Miami, Florida, where he remained until his retirement in 1985. In 1986, Jim and Cindy relocated to Brookings, Oregon so that Cindy could be near her sister, Barbara Kockritz. (Barbara had also married a career military man; their family transferred all over the United States and overseas, so the two sisters, who hadn’t lived near each other since 1952, were happy to be reunited). After serving in the Army, living all over the world, surviving the Korean War, the War in Vietnam, jet-setting and commuting from Atlanta to Miami for almost ten years, Jim retired completely, and he and Cindy settled down to enjoy life in their quiet, wooded setting. They made new friends, spent countless hours and happy holidays with Barbara, her children and grandchildren, and cherished the time he and Cindy had together. In 2005 Cindy became ill and Jim cared for her until her death March 16, 2007. Jim Eustace was a man of strong convictions and believed in the attributes of hard work, honesty and integrity. He read voraciously and his passion for knowledge never waned – at the age of 82 he installed high-speed internet and was learning to explore the World Wide Web. His family knew him to be a passionate man, loyal to those he served, worked for and loved; he dedicated his life to his beloved Cindy. Jim was widely known as an interesting, intelligent and witty man; for his good-natured banter, pranks and endless supply of jokes. He regaled his family and friends with wonderful stories of his early days and vast life experience. He baked pies for the staff at doctors’ offices, cookies for the “girls” at Good Sam, goodies for his neighbors and friends, and will be remembered by all for his passion for life. Survivors include sisters Mary Smith of Franklin, VA, Broaddus Allen of Colonial Beach, VA and their children; sister-in-law Beverly Eustace of Laughlin, NV; nieces Lisa Williamson, Rita (Sam) Dotson of Brookings, Denise (Tim) Kauer of Rigby, Idaho, Linda Kockritz of Brookings, Liz (Vaughn) Matthews of Coos Bay, Cindy (Steve) Blakney of Vancouver, Washington; nephew Andrew Kockritz of Brookings; great-nieces and nephews: Donny Dotson, Jaime Armstrong, Kathryne Cordon, Kirsten Hancock, James Sierra, Seth, Joshua and Joey Kauer; Shana Matthews, Chris, Kevin and John Blakney; Aleasha Garton, Mandy, Andrea, Tiffany and Andrew Kockritz. Also surviving are numerous great-great nieces and nephews; Deborah Lai of Woodbury, MN who was like a daughter to him; dear friend, Ruth Gold of Brookings; Sugar his constant 4-legged companion, and longtime friend John Bell of Gold Beach. Preceding him in death was his wife, his parents John Ross Eustace and Vivian Hovey, his stepmother Avis Eustace, brothers John Ross Eustace, Thomas S. Eustace and a sister Charlotte. Services will be held at a later date.
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