Hershal Downey Eason

Chief Master Sergeant Hershal Downey Eason (USAF, Ret.) entered the Wild Blue Yonder on January 22, 2022, leaving a legacy of service and love to God, his family, and his country.

Hershal was born September 15, 1940 to Downey H. Eason and Gladys Eason in Wetumka OK. In 1946 they moved to the Tulsa area. He attended school in Berryhill and was Salutatorian for the Chiefs Class of 1958. He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Ann Richardson on May 28, 1959 and together they raised two children, Jeffery and Jennifer.


In 1961, Hershal enlisted in the United States Air Force because of his patriotism, his interest in aviation and his love of mechanic work. He was very proud of his time in the Air Force and served for 22 years working primarily as an aircraft mechanic, an instructor, the USAF Inspector General Team, and then First Sergeant in aircraft maintenance units, at home and abroad. He loved drinking coffee with the guys on the flight line and keeping the Air Force's C-130s flying. His stories of his time in military service inspired his grandsons to want to follow in his footsteps. In 1977, after many years of trying, he was finally able to return to Oklahoma when he was assigned to Tinker AFB (OKC). But in 1982 he learned his next duty station would be overseas again - and he and Carolyn didn't want to leave Oklahoma. So he put his family first and took retirement as Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).


After his military service Hershal worked for the US Postal Service which he enjoyed significantly less than his time in the Air Force although his lunchtime domino games with some other Veterans he worked with were fun.


Hershal was a no-nonsense military man but he was also a Christian servant and loving father. He served as a deacon or elder at several churches around the United States through the years including Sunnylane Free Will Baptist Church in Del City OK. Hershal and Carolyn relocated to the Tulsa area after the 1999 tornado and were active members of Faith Church from that time on.


He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his wife Carolyn. He is survived by son Jeffery (Julie) of Springfield IL, daughter Jennifer (Lantze) of Aubrey TX, grandsons Lt. James Downey Eason (USAF) and 2Lt Jack J Eason (USA), his best friend and brother Harold (Kay) Eason, in-laws Robin (Tim) Fox and Alvin Richardson Jr along with nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family at Faith Church.


The family would like to sincerely thank his caregivers at the Veterans Hospitals in Tulsa and OKC as well as St Francis Hospital.


In lieu of flowers he would prefer to be remembered by a random act of kindness or generosity "from Jesus and Chief Eason".


Services have been entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Friends and family may leave condolences and kind words of comfort at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com