James Earl Egalite

James Earl Egalite, 86 Years old passed away January 8, 2017. Earl is survived by his wife, Pat Egalite, his children Cassandra Egalite and her spouse Katie Lepp, Robyn (Bill) DeMaria, Daniel Egalite, Kirsten (Alberto) Crotte, Joel (Julia) Bell and Stacey (Patrick) McMahon, sister Joan (Jim) Donahue and brother Eugene (Carol) Egalite. He is survived by his adored Grandchildren Travis (Lyndsey) Kyte, Nick and Chazz DeMaria, Johnny Nocera, Colman and Connor McMahon, Raven, Riley and Gavin Bell and Christian and Daniel Crotte, and great grandchildren Ryker and Krew Kyte. He was predeceased by a brother Joseph Egalite and his son Marcus Earl Egalite. Earl was also predeceased by loyal and loving dogs BJ, Happy, Bear, Susie, Sherman, Pickles, Surprise, Eddie, Sparkle, Alex, Joy 1, and many strays that he would bring home. He learned from his Mother not to turn away strays, even the pregnant Beagle that birthed her pups on his bed. Born in Lexington Kentucky. Earl moved to Ohio at the age of 12 with his Family in 1943. Disciplined and Industrious, Earl was a standout at an early age. He sold the Saturday Evening Post, farm fresh eggs door to door and even grew his own potatoes for sale. He took every Saturday shift he could to set up bowling pins by hand. He was paid by the pin and was more than happy to take a shift from one of the other boys more inclined to go out Saturday Night. Earl hitchhiked each day from Fairborn with his brother to Chaminade High School in downtown Dayton. He would often go early to buy day old doughnuts from the Downtown Arcade to share with his schoolmates. Earl graduated High School at 16. With a strong work ethic and the full knowledge of what went into providing for the future, Earl was a great steward. After asking a bank to loan him money to invest and being abruptly declined, Earl took the little he had saved to a local broker. The broker explained that the investment amount was not sufficient for their services. Earl was so persistent and sincere, the broker took him on as a client. The things Earl kept and valued were not for show but because they had a purpose or a story. A fine running rotor tiller and photos filling the walls of his family room had more value than any flashy car.
Earl's joy came in the ability to do things, often unseen, for others. One of his favorite photos was from handing out oranges to Korean Orphans when he was in the Marines. Although most wouldn't know, he was very proud in being able to buy his Mom her first washing machine, the family their first car and his parents their first home. Earl invested his time and his life for the people around him. Summer weeks with each grandchild were packed full of lifelong memories unique for each of them. He found a way to make learning and even hard work fun. His hours of doing flash cards with grandkids were rewarded when they brought their report cards over with high marks. Their summer months of gardening at Grandpas would end with a competition to see whose efforts yielded the most potatoes. Controversy emerged one season when Earl was suspected of putting miracle grow on the grandchildren's plots. He and Pat were married under the big tree outside the house. For a honeymoon, they planted vegetables in the garden that afternoon - a tradition they generally repeated each anniversary. Four decades of daily journals lining his office stand to illustrate that every day was valuable to Earl. Every day documented dawn to dark, to efficiently use the time he was given and to preserve cherished memories one by one. Earl was dedicated to fitness and staying active. He and Pat were always training for an upcoming event even though some time in his late 50's a trainer broke the news to Earl that 'You may have already peaked'. He was in his glory when holding the hand of each of the grandkids as they competed in their first Tot Trot. As a memorial, Four generations of the Family will be meeting in Atlanta Georgia on July 4th, 2018 to once again complete the Peachtree Road Race that is a family tradition Earl started over 30 Years ago. All are welcome to join us in honoring a life well lived this 4th of July by Walking, Running or Cheering any local race. He gave the gift of his body to Wright State University through the Anatomical Gift Program. Earl valued what was important, he invested in what mattered and he was always there for the people he loved. Condolences may be sent to Morris-sons.com