Alan Franklin Eagle

Alan Franklin Eagle, age 86 years, of Jefferson City, formerly of St. Louis, Mo., died peacefully Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at St. Joseph's Bluffs. Alan was born on November 28, 1926, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Curtis Franklin and Clara McDonald Eagle. He was married on September 22, 1951, in St. Louis, Mo., to Etta May Miller, who preceded him in death. Alan became a skilled lip reader at a young age to compensate for a severe hearing loss. He graduated from Miamisburg High School in Miamisburg, Ohio at the age of 16, where he was valedictorian of his class. He then attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, graduating in 1948. Alan began his career in St. Louis Missouri, as a co-op intern at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, "MAC," where he was later employed as a mechanical engineer. He worked there for 45 years until his retirement in 1991. During his years at MAC/ Boeing, Alan worked on many projects, including the F4H Phantom II, the F15 Eagle, the F18 Hornet and the AV8 Harrier. He also contributed to the Mercury and Gemini space programs. Alan was a member of the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church and the Scottish St. Andrews Society of Greater St. Louis. Alan was a softball coach for his girls, and a behind-the-scenes supporter of his family's many Girl Scout activities. He had a great love for Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, was an avid reader, excelled at the game of horseshoes, enjoyed watching British TV and was always interested in anything to do with aviation and rail transport. Alan was regarded by all as a quiet and loving gentleman. Survivors include: one brother, Lee S. Eagle and his wife Jean of Miamisburg, Ohio; three daughters, Bonnie Howe and her husband Kenneth of Beaverton, Ore., Robyn Fleming and her husband John of Jefferson City, Mo. and Donna Eagle Joslin and her husband Blake of Swannanoa, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Andrew Howe of Beaverton, Ore., Scott Howe of Beaverton, Ore., Becky Meyer of Kansas City, Mo., Amy Crawford of Kansas City, Mo., Callie Fleming of Columbia, Mo., Joshua Eagle-Wilkinson of Swannanoa, N.C., and Emma Eagle Joslin of Swannanoa, N.C.; and two great-grandchildren, Cade Crawford and Riley Crawford of Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife of 59 years, Etta May. Services to celebrate Alan's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on October 26 at the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home in Miamisburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alan may be made to a favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com