James R. Easton

James R. Easton, 69, of Roscoe passed away February 8, 2022. Born May 12, 1952 in Rockford, the son of John R. and Grace (Moore) Easton. Married to Janet Wicklund. Mr Easton taught at Kinnikinnick Middle School for 37 years.  He was a legend in teaching and coaching. In any given school year he taught history and social studies (created map games and taught the game to surrounding schools), coached 7th grade boys basketball, coached an overlapping 8th grade girls basketball season (started their program after title 9), organized and helped create a fundraiser to send students to see the nation's capital and taught surrounding schools how to do that, and sold trips via American Student Travel so other districts across USA could send their kids.  He spent the majority of his June's guiding and chaperoning those trips he sold through Washington D.C. and surrounding historical landmarks.  His passion and humor in the classroom were the drive so many students wanted to have Mr. Easton as their teacher.

He was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for golfing, fishing, boating and snowmobiling.  Proud to have 3 hole-in-ones and two trophy fish from his many adventures to Canada with his best friend and brother-in-law, John Johnsen.

Survivors include wife, Janet Easton; children, Jeffrey (Laura) Easton, John (Lindsay) Easton, Julie (Ryan) Winebaugh; 5 grandchildren, Jackson, Grace and Lucas Easton, his little sweetheart, Macy Winebaugh and Finley Winebaugh. Predeceased by parents; and sister, Linda Dougherty.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, February 17, 2022 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory – Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main Street, Roscoe. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 18, 2022 in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or the  family for student travel scholarship. Checks can be mailed to: P.O. Box 273 Rockton, Il. 61072

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