Mr. James Lee “Jim” Eaker, 86, of 145 Jim Eaker Road passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012 at his home.

Born in Cleveland County on January 25, 1926, he was a son of the late Lee Summero  “Summie” Eaker and Mary Priscilla Digh Eaker.  Mr. Eaker retired as a truck driver for Overnite Trucking and was a member of Palm Tree United Methodist Church and Woodmen of the World.  An Army veteran he served in the European Theater during World War II.

In addition to his parents , he was preceded in death by wife, Bertha Jane Ramey Eaker; sons, Fred  Eaker and Norman Eaker; brothers, Ray Eaker, Norman Eaker and Jessie Eaker and sisters, Mildred Yeck  and Vivian Champion.

Mr. Eaker is survived by wife, Emily Byers Eaker of Shelby;  daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Jess Murray of Lawndale and Judy and Mike Auvil of Chattanooga, TN; brother, Paul Eaker of Lawndale; sister, Betty Putnan of Hendersonville;  stepchildren, Billy Dean Byers of Kings Mountain, Christopher Frank of Mooresboro, John Frank of Shelby; step daughter, Cindy Pearse and husband Roy of Patterson Springs; grandchildren  Missy Parker, Vallie Murray, Adrienne Fowler, Jed Auvil , Bill Auvil and Danielle Murray and five great grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends from  1:00 until 2:00 pm Saturday at Stamey Funeral Home in Fallston.  A guest register is available at www.stameeyfuneralhome.com.

The funeral service will be 2:00 pm Saturday at Stamey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Owen officiating.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Fallston.