Jan Wayne Eason, 77, of Raleigh, NC, passed away after an 8-month battle with cancer on March 15, 2024. Born on December 10, 1946 at the old Rex Hospital on St. Mary’s Street, he was the son of Walter and Jewell Eason.

Jan grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Cary High School. His concern for environmental issues led him to pursue two degrees from North Carolina State University – a BS in conservation from the School of Forestry and a Master of Landscape Design from the School of Design. While he was a principal in a landscape design firm, he earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Following his landscape design career, Jan went into commercial real estate establishing two executive office suite businesses that flourished for many years – Westchase Business Center off Blue Ridge Rd and The Business Center at North Hills Office Mall. Upon closing these businesses, he returned to his environmental science roots and took a post at the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program where he earned the nickname “Mayor” for his deep knowledge of all things ecosystem and otherwise!

An intelligent man and a lifelong learner, Jan continually strived to expand his mind with books and new ideas. He was young at heart and was always up for fun with people of all ages. He and his beloved Border Collie mix, Allie, were a fixture at the Player’s Retreat in Raleigh where they’d meet and make friends and where she’d always get a tasty kid’s meal treat.

His interests included: spending time with his beloved Martha, all manner of photography, population control, building things, debating about current issues, eating healthily yet never refusing the occasional French fry, dog park outings, hula hooping (back in the day) and backyard chickens. He and Martha were participants in the first “Henside the Beltline Tour D’Coop” chicken tour in Raleigh.

Growing up, Jan was known for his love of astronomy and spending nights outside with his telescope. He knew when meteor showers were going to occur and he and his brothers would stay out all night in a “Jan-built” club house and watch the sky. A childhood dream was to become an astronaut and fully experience the depths of the universe. Walking on the moon never materialized, but Jan captured the world in his mind’s eye with images. Black and white images. Infrared images. He saw photography as a way of documenting and recording the natural and social environment—capturing the universe.

Jan’s photography, which he processed and printed himself, was featured in state and local exhibits and won several awards. He completed the Duke Documentary Studies program which showcased his photography, particularly his Portsmouth Island exhibit. His work can be viewed here: https://janeason.com/works

Jan’s diverse circle of friends will tell you that he was sweet and kind to his core, loveably cynical, stalwart in his beliefs and had a “live and let live” attitude that put everyone at ease in his presence. A Woodstock attendee in the ‘60s, Jan had a confident coolness about him that was contagious and enviable. He had a sense of humor that kept a smile on his face and the faces of people around him. He knew a little bit about everything which made every conversation an engaging learning experience. Most of all, Jan Eason was loved –  intensely loved – by his loyal friends and family and his loss will create a chasm that won’t be filled. He was just that special.

Jan is survived by his spouse, Martha Walton of Raleigh; son, Nathan Eason of TX; brother, Dennis Eason of Holly Springs; sister, Bonnie Myers of Oxford; grandson, Hudson Benson of Garner; niece, Casi Eason of Holly Springs; and nephews, Justin Eason of Tulsa, OK; and Jason Myers of Franklinton.

Jan is also survived by his loyal and loving canine companion, Allie, an honorary employee of Unleashed at Lake Boone where they visited weekly. He is pre-deceased by his parents; his brother, Dickey Eason of Cary; and nephew, Brad Eason, of Tulsa, OK.

A private green burial will be held on March 20, vernal equinox day, at Blue Stem Conservation Cemetery in Orange County and a memorial celebration of life will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Apiopolis Urban Bee Sanctuary at 3324 Timberlake Rd., Raleigh, NC 27604 (https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/apiopolis-urban-bee-sanctuary) or to the charity of your choice.