In Memory Of
Michael Eager
1948
2020
Michael Eager
December 6, 1948 — July 1, 2020
Michael "Mike" Howard Richard Eager, 71, of Alpharetta Georgia, passed away peacefully, and surrounded by family, on July 1st, 2020, after a courageous 4 year battle with Leukemia.
Mike was born on December 6, 1948 to Kenneth and Barbara (Roberts) Eager in Exeter, England, and moved to Kenya with his family when he was 8 years old. He attended boarding school, and spent his summers in the ocean, snorkeling, and spear-fishing. Mike attended the University of Natal, in Pietermaritzburg, where he graduated with a degree in entomology and zoology. Outside of his studies, he enjoyed spending time with friends, playing sports, and devoted lots of his time to tagging leatherback sea turtles.
Shortly after college, he moved to Rhodesia for a job as an Entomologist controlling Tsetse flies. While there, he enjoyed his time living in the wild African bush, catching snakes & photographing wild animals. He then spent a year of National Service in the army fighting in the Rhodesian war.
In 1975, Mike moved to South Africa to join his family. Four short years later, in 1979, he met & married the love of his life, Dimity Joy Language, in Durban, South Africa. Upon being offered an amazing career opportunity, to open an office for an American Agricultural company called Diamond Shamrock, they moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. There, they had two children, a son Andrew (1980) and daughter Sarah (1984).
In 1987, Mike and his family were transferred within the company, to the United States. Mike excelled at his career, and climbed the ladder quickly. The Eager family was always on the move, and spent time in Mentor Ohio; London, Ontario, Canada; Overland Park, Kansas; Madison, Wisconsin; and finally settled in Alpharetta,Georgia. Mike retired after an amazing 25 year long career in Agriculture & Crop Protection.
Mike was an avid Springbok rugby fan, and lived to watch and cheer for his team! He enjoyed everything Chocolate, and even proclaimed it as it's OWN food group. He loved singing, and everyone knew him for his deep, booming voice, and wonderful British accent. He was a kind and true gentleman, and was completely devoted to his family. He was always the life of the party, and could always put a smile on anyone's face. He had a hilarious sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and knack for making everyone around him feel like part of the family. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by his wife, children, and eight beautiful grandchildren- whom he adored so dearly. He truly was the best Husband/Father/Papa/Brother/Uncle/Friend... and will be greatly missed.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Dimity; son Andrew Eager (Sam Eager) and daughter Sarah Olinger (Matt Olinger); Grandchildren: Cooper Eager, Jack Olinger, Kate Olinger, Brad Olinger, Hayden Eager, Grady Eager, Carter- Eager, and Emily Olinger; Sister Sarah "Sally" Hood (Peter), Brother Timothy Eager; Sister-in-laws Christine Eager, and Rozanne Baker (Sean); as well as his many nieces/nephews and their families. He also leaves behind his beloved 40 year old African grey parrot, Sam, who will continue to grace us with his voice, for many years to come.
He was preceded in death by his parents (Ken & Barbara Eager) and parents-in-law (Ivor & Sybil Language); his brother John Eager, Brothers-in-law Hilton and Keith Language, and his best friend/best man Murray Kirkland.
A Funeral service will be held in his honor at 10am on July 20th, 2020, at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. This service will also be live-streamed for all out of town friends/family around the world, and to keep the service small- due to Covid19 restrictions.
A celebration of life will be planned in the near future in Alpharetta, Georgia. Plans still to come.
An Official Service will be held at a later time in South Africa, where it was his wish for his ashes to be scattered, with his friend Murray, over their family game reserve in Zululand.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society towards research to finding a cure.
https://donate.lls.org
Mike was born on December 6, 1948 to Kenneth and Barbara (Roberts) Eager in Exeter, England, and moved to Kenya with his family when he was 8 years old. He attended boarding school, and spent his summers in the ocean, snorkeling, and spear-fishing. Mike attended the University of Natal, in Pietermaritzburg, where he graduated with a degree in entomology and zoology. Outside of his studies, he enjoyed spending time with friends, playing sports, and devoted lots of his time to tagging leatherback sea turtles.
Shortly after college, he moved to Rhodesia for a job as an Entomologist controlling Tsetse flies. While there, he enjoyed his time living in the wild African bush, catching snakes & photographing wild animals. He then spent a year of National Service in the army fighting in the Rhodesian war.
In 1975, Mike moved to South Africa to join his family. Four short years later, in 1979, he met & married the love of his life, Dimity Joy Language, in Durban, South Africa. Upon being offered an amazing career opportunity, to open an office for an American Agricultural company called Diamond Shamrock, they moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. There, they had two children, a son Andrew (1980) and daughter Sarah (1984).
In 1987, Mike and his family were transferred within the company, to the United States. Mike excelled at his career, and climbed the ladder quickly. The Eager family was always on the move, and spent time in Mentor Ohio; London, Ontario, Canada; Overland Park, Kansas; Madison, Wisconsin; and finally settled in Alpharetta,Georgia. Mike retired after an amazing 25 year long career in Agriculture & Crop Protection.
Mike was an avid Springbok rugby fan, and lived to watch and cheer for his team! He enjoyed everything Chocolate, and even proclaimed it as it's OWN food group. He loved singing, and everyone knew him for his deep, booming voice, and wonderful British accent. He was a kind and true gentleman, and was completely devoted to his family. He was always the life of the party, and could always put a smile on anyone's face. He had a hilarious sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and knack for making everyone around him feel like part of the family. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by his wife, children, and eight beautiful grandchildren- whom he adored so dearly. He truly was the best Husband/Father/Papa/Brother/Uncle/Friend... and will be greatly missed.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Dimity; son Andrew Eager (Sam Eager) and daughter Sarah Olinger (Matt Olinger); Grandchildren: Cooper Eager, Jack Olinger, Kate Olinger, Brad Olinger, Hayden Eager, Grady Eager, Carter- Eager, and Emily Olinger; Sister Sarah "Sally" Hood (Peter), Brother Timothy Eager; Sister-in-laws Christine Eager, and Rozanne Baker (Sean); as well as his many nieces/nephews and their families. He also leaves behind his beloved 40 year old African grey parrot, Sam, who will continue to grace us with his voice, for many years to come.
He was preceded in death by his parents (Ken & Barbara Eager) and parents-in-law (Ivor & Sybil Language); his brother John Eager, Brothers-in-law Hilton and Keith Language, and his best friend/best man Murray Kirkland.
A Funeral service will be held in his honor at 10am on July 20th, 2020, at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. This service will also be live-streamed for all out of town friends/family around the world, and to keep the service small- due to Covid19 restrictions.
A celebration of life will be planned in the near future in Alpharetta, Georgia. Plans still to come.
An Official Service will be held at a later time in South Africa, where it was his wish for his ashes to be scattered, with his friend Murray, over their family game reserve in Zululand.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society towards research to finding a cure.
https://donate.lls.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Eager, please visit our flower store.
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