James Easton taught middle school for 37 years

James R. Easton, 69, of Roscoe passed away February 8, 2022. He was born May 12, 1952 in Rockford, the son of John R. and Grace (Moore) Easton. He was 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 - creating map games and teaching the game to surrounding schools, coached 7th grade boys basketball, and coached an overlapping 8th grade girls basketball season, starting their program after Title IX.

He 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 the USA could send their kids. Each June, he spent the majority of his month guiding and chaperoning those trips he sold through Washington D.C. and surrounding historical landmarks.  His passion and humor in the classroom were the reason so many students wanted Mr. Easton as their teacher.

Subscribe to our email newsletter for local news each day.

He was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for golfing, fishing, boating and snowmobiling.  He was proud to have three 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; five grandchildren, Jackson, Grace and Lucas Easton, his little sweetheart, Macy Winebaugh and Finley Winebaugh. He was 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 family for student travel scholarship.