Derrick “Chunk” Wayne Eaton

Derrick Wayne Eaton “Chunk” – age 35 of Gallatin, MO passed away Tuesday evening, December 26, 2023, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Derrick was born on October 10, 1988, the son of Randy and Ellia (Parker) Eaton in Chillicothe, MO. He grew up on the family farm south of Altamont and was a 2007 graduate of Gallatin High School. He attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas. He had worked at Breadeaux Pizza, Past Times Café, Ford Motor Company, and Western Missouri Correctional Facility. Derrick loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, drawing, and riding around with friends. Derrick’s passions were cooking, baking, puzzles of all sorts, and assembling small wood crafts for his nieces and nephews. Derrick will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was a big teddy bear and always sarcastic.

Derrick was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Gilbert and Jean Parker, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his parents Randy and Ellia Eaton; paternal grandparents Dale and Evelyn Redman of Altamont, MO, and Robert Eaton of St. Joseph, MO; siblings, Miranda Ball (Greg) of Gallatin, MO, Randy Eaton (Kristy) of Altamont, MO, and Amanda Eaton of Gallatin, MO; three nephews, six nieces, two great-nieces, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family members also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Mt. Ayr Cemetery in care of the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday evening also at the funeral home. Friends may call after 11 AM Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Mt. Ayr Cemetery, south of Altamont. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin (660) 663-2117. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com