Nicholas James Eaton

Nicholas James “Nick” Eaton was born January 20, 1988, to Susan and Jim Eaton in Fort Collins. He passed away January 18, 2024. Nick’s first word as a child was “ball,” which was appropriate as ball was always somewhere in his greatest interests, accomplishments, and joys. Whether on a field, a court, or diamond, “ball” was at the center of his universe. Nick’s athletic ability was evident early walking at eight months and knocking pictures off the wall with plastic bat and ball at the age of two. He was a member of the competitive baseball team, the Loveland Lasers, from age 10 to 12. A state championship in 2000 qualified the team for a national tournament which was hosted by the Lasers in Loveland. As a lower seed in the tournament, one of Nick’s proudest moments was when the team was crowned champions in a national tournament. Travel with the Lasers family over those two years developed into the Laser family—teammates, parents, siblings. Together they created many great memories and friendships that continue today. Nick grew into a skilled and diverse player excelling as a pitcher on the Loveland High School team. Nick was also a football standout at LHS. He was a freshman member of the 2004 team that won the state championship. He was a three-year starter for the then Indians, earning all-conference and all-area recognition in 2004 and 2005, and all-state honors in 2005. At 6’ 3” and 200 lb., his size, speed, and skill caught the eye of Colorado State University football coach Sonny Lubick at a summer camp. CSU awarded Nick a full-ride football scholarship. Shoulder injuries ended his playing days, but he stayed with the program as a graduate assistant for a year with hopes of a career in coaching. He graduated from CSU in 2010 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a minor in business. Other than sports, Nick had a talent for sales. Most of his career was involved with sales, primarily in orthopedic and other medical products. In his first year with Ossur America, he won several awards including top first-year sales employee and top salesperson in the U.S. Nick was an avid lover of dogs and all animals. His longtime companion Buddy will live out his remaining years in the loving care of Grandma (Susie) and Grandpa (Jim). He also enjoyed visiting with family, watching standup comedians, watching movies of all types, attending sporting events, and listening to sports talk shows and podcasts. He found solace in the simple act of driving. Leisurely drives through the Thompson Canyon provided times for quiet, personal reflection and a calming effect on his troubled mind. The past year and a half were the most difficult times for Nick as he battled alcoholism. He wanted so much to have a normal life with a home, wife, kids, and sharing life with his friends. Multiple stints of rehab and other deterrents were not enough to break the grasp of alcoholism. Feeling overwhelmed by the physical and emotional toll the disease had taken on his body and mind, he took his own life at his parents’ home in Loveland. Nick is survived by his parents, Susan (Weatherill) Eaton, Jim Eaton, younger brother and sister-in-law Scott and Katerina Eaton (Fort Collins), and grandmother Patricia Weatherill (Loveland). Aunts and uncles include Jack Weatherill (Fort Collins), Sandy (Weatherill) Schmid and husband Greg (Loveland), Tom and Carmella Weatherill (Scottsdale, AZ), Mike and Pam Eaton (Loveland), Dave and Kerry Eaton (Oak Creek), and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Dwight and Phyllis Eaton, and Joe Weatherill, and an uncle, Gary Eaton. Nick attended Loveland schools Edmundson Elementary, Erwin Middle School, and Loveland High. After graduation from CSU, he was enrolled in a masters in Sports Management at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. The highlight of attending Gonzaga was serving as an intern to the renowned Gonzaga basketball team and coach Mark Few. A celebration of his life will be held February 16 at Foundations Church, 1380 Denver Avenue, Loveland. At 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to organizations for addiction recovery, suicide prevention, and animal care in Nick’s name will be greatly appreciated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------