Kenneth Ralph Eaton

Kenneth Ralph Eaton, age 63, passed away after a courageous three-month battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Ken was deeply loved by family, friends, and the many greyhounds with special needs that he and his wife, Nita, welcomed into their home.

Ken was born on March 4, 1962, in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the age of 16, he moved with his family to Kansas City, Kansas, where he became a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan—a passion he carried throughout his life. He continued to love North Carolina and taking beach trips with family.

When Ken eventually settled in Colorado, his lifelong love of hockey grew even stronger as he became a dedicated Colorado Avalanche fan. He was a season ticket holder for many years, and he and Nita cherished going to games together, often sharing tickets and memories with a circle of friends.

Ken’s love for animals shone through in everything he did. He became the board president for Rocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption, where he volunteered to help retired racing greyhounds find safe, loving homes as they transitioned from their racing careers. He also raised funds for the cause through his photography, skillfully capturing dogs, cats, snakes, ferrets, and more with their owners—a task that required patience, humor, and care, all of which Ken demonstrated with ease. Through his work with the organization, Ken formed many wonderful, lifelong friendships that he cherished deeply.

Ken worked for 26 years with Waste Management in IT support, where he formed many lasting friendships. At the time of his passing, he was employed with MYR Group, surrounded by a wonderful group of coworkers he deeply admired. Known for his quick wit and easy laughter, Ken helped make the workday brighter for those around him. It was no surprise that he had no desire to retire—he genuinely loved the camaraderie and joy that came with his work.

Those who didn’t know Ken well might have called him an introvert, but those who truly knew him understood better. He was sharp, funny, and delightfully sarcastic, yet also patient, honest, and deeply caring. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Nita, as well as his beloved pups, Emmie and Kai—daily walks will never be quite the same without him.

Ken is preceded in death by both his mother and father. He is survived by his sister, Laura (Adam), his brother, Chris (Maria), and the many family members who surrounded him with love and support throughout his illness. His legacy of kindness, laughter, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later date in Colorado. Because of his love for the ocean, his ashes will one day be placed in a coral reef ball and laid to rest in the waters off the coast of North Carolina, becoming part of the reef and a lasting tribute to his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice, such as a greyhound adoption organization, local animal shelter or wildlife protection group.