James Earl Eakin, 77, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away at his home Monday.

He was born Sept. 6, 1930, to Earl Emery Eakin and Jane Wilcox.

Mr. Eakin grew up in Prospect and graduated from Butler High School. He went on to graduate from Princeton University in 1952 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 until 1955.

Following his naval service, he went to work for the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., which later became LTV Steel. Mr. Eakin spent his career in management with LTV Steel, both in Pittsburgh and in Hennepin, Ill.

Mr. Eakin and his wife, relocated to Amelia Island in 1996. Mr. Eakin served on the Governing Board of the Amelia Island Plantation Chapel, worked with Habitat Nassau and was a member of the Men's Golf Association.

He is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Mary Beth Eakin of Fernandina Beach; a daughter, Elizabeth (Matthew) Ward of Victor, Idaho; sons Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin of Washington D.C., and David S. Eakin, of Houston, Texas; a brother, Ronald L. Eakin, of Manassas, Va.; sisters Janice Campbell (James) of Maryville, Tenn., and Susan Must of Manassas; along with eight grandchildren, Dylan, Kelsey, Colin, Eleanor, Natalie, Ian Watt, Tenley and Virginia.

<B>EAKIN</B> — A memorial service for James Earl Eakin, who died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 6, 2008 at Amelia Plantation Chapel with the Rev. Ted Schroder officiating. Military honors will followed.Memorials may be sent to Nassau Habitat for Humanity, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; or the Amelia Plantation Chapel, Bowman Road, Amelia Island, FL 32034.Arrangements are being handled by <B>Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors</B>, Fernandina Beach. View his life story at www.oxleyheard.com