Cemetery Pioneer, Business Executive. 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 and setting, complete with unobstructed vistas, supplemented with fine works of art, fountains, statuary and inspiring architecture. 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, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Jimmy Stewart. 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.
Cemetery Pioneer, Business Executive. 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 and setting, complete with unobstructed vistas, supplemented with fine works of art, fountains, statuary and inspiring architecture. 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, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Jimmy Stewart. 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.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
Inscription
"I Believe Most of All In a Christ
That Smiles And Loves You and Me"
Founder of Forest Lawn
Family Members
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