Hubert Eaton

Hubert Eaton was born June 3, 1881, to James Rodolphus Eaton and Martha Elizabeth Lewright in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri.

As stated on his FindAGrave by Nils M. Solsvik Jr. "He is credited with developing the world's first modern-day cemetery as a "celebration of life," replacing old traditional vertical tombstones with flat memorial tablets. He joined the staff of Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) in 1912 as an advanced planning sales manager before taking over the day-to-day operations as company president in 1914. By 1917, he envisioned a cemetery offering a wide-open, park-like feel with unobstructed views. By the end of the 1930s, every major cemetery in the United States and Europe had incorporated many of Dr. Eaton's ideas and philosophy. In 1923, the first of what would become over 50,000 weddings was performed on the grounds, including the marriage of future U.S. President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman. Over the years, Forest Lawn Glendale would become the final resting place for many of Hollywood's most famous film and entertainment stars, including Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, and Elizabeth Taylor. Forest Lawn would eventually expand as a cemetery-mortuary chain, starting in 1952 with Eaton opening a Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills, followed by a Forest Lawn in Covina Hills and a Forest Lawn in Cypress. Dr. Eaton died at his home at the age of 85."

Dr. Eaton passed on September 20, 1966, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California.

After Eaton’s passing, his nephew took over as general manager, a position he would hold for almost 25 years.