Herschel Leon Eaton, Jr. (Lansing)

Herschel Leon Eaton, Jr. affectionately known as “Yump” transitioned on Wednesday, January 5, 2022; at the age of 72-years old from his earthly body to his heavenly body as he made his election sure at McLaren Hospital before the Heavenly Angels greeted and transported him to his new home. Herschel, Jr. was born on Saturday, February 5, 1949, to the union of Herschel, Sr., and Marion Marie (Harvey) Eaton in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Herschel’s mother later remarried after the untimely death of his biological father, as a result of a medical condition, to Jesse Eugene Jones, II. Herschel was the eldest of his eleven brothers and sisters. His pride and joy were his son and daughter when he became a Teen-Father with the love of his life Francia Hall when she gave birth to their two children Eldon (Eaton) Hall and DaShawn (Eaton) Hall.

Herschel was very popular in school as being dubbed an aspiring Athlete and an all-American Sportsman. He attended West Junior Middle School and Sexton High School. Herschel made his mark on life during his high school days as a Talented Basketball Player, an Exceptional Track and Field Star that earned him countless accolades and honors; as well as an accomplished, notable, and skillful Wrestler. Herschel was potentially Olympic bound as one of the world’s greatest track stars in history due to his finesse, unbeatable speed, and skill as a sprinter! He was young, gifted, and black. Herschel was no doubt a very talented force to be dealt with in the sports arena. Everything he engaged in, he masterfully excelled at it. Unfortunately, his sports career ended abruptly when he left the Lansing School District in the 1960s to move back to his birthplace in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He readjusted and began his new life there. Herschel developed a passion for serving and training in the medical field as a Nursing Assistant in various hospitals for well over 30-plus years. In his latter years, he returned to Michigan and lived in Grand Rapids and the Detroit area where his loving daughter DaShawn Hall cared for him. His final years he returned to Lansing where his youngest Sister, Debra Jones provided him with stable housing, and she was his Caregiver at her Adult Foster Care Home.

Herschel, Jr. was preceded in death by Herschel Eaton, Sr. (Biological Father); Marion Jones (Mother), Jesse Jones, II (Stepfather); Lilly Williams Eaton (Fraternal Grandmother); Jesse Jones, I (Fraternal Grandfather), Carrie Pearl Jones (Fraternal Grandmother), Maggie Conard (Maternal Grandmother); Garland Eaton (Brother), Linda Johnson (Sister); Cecil Harvey (Uncle), Jessie Lee Foreman (Aunt), and Joyce Galloway (Aunt) of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

He leaves to cherish and celebrate his legacy and precious memories are his son, Eldon (Eaton) Hall of Lansing, Michigan, and daughter, DaShawn (Eaton) Hall of Westland, Michigan; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: John (Carolyn) Jones, Grand Ledge, Michigan, Carmen Jones, Portage, Michigan, Eldwin Jones, Lansing, Michigan, Jesse, III (Sharon) Jones, Atlanta, Georgia, Gloria Pearl Jones, East Lansing, Michigan, Kenneth Jones, Chicago, Illinois, Michael (Judy) Jones, Franklin, Kentucky, Bruce (Nichole) Jones, Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Debra Jones, special sister and caregiver), Lansing, Michigan; aunt and uncle, Leonard (Lucille) Jones, Lansing, Michigan; honorable mention and special thank you to cousin, Pastor Fred Galloway of Galilee Baptist Church, Lansing, Michigan, for going to the hospital to minister to Brother Yump to make his election sure before he crossed-over to the other side; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives including extended family members: Houston Family and the Gibbs/Wilson Family and friends.