Jeff Eagon passed away unexpectedly at the age of 42 on September 8, 2023 at Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, MT.
Jeff was born in Bowman, ND on January 16, 1981, the oldest of 5 kids.
He began his education at the Head Start in Bowman. The elementary school years were spent at Rhame Elementary School in Rhame, ND.
While living in Rhame, Jeff decided he wanted chocolate chip cookies and mom said no. Jeff and his sister, Jennifer, went to the kitchen to make cookies. Since the chocolate chip cookie recipe was in the BIG Betty Crocker cookbook and Jennifer could not carry it, they improvised by tearing the recipe in a section of pages out of the cookbook. Mom found the two of them in the kitchen getting the needed items to make cookies without her.
His junior high years were spent at Ashland Public Schools where he got to participate in bowling through Special Olympics. He traveled once a year to Colstrip to bowl and the entire family enjoyed those trips. The teachers at Ashland Public sure left a lasting impression on Jeff as named a dinosaur or two, Carl, after one of his teachers.
During junior high, Jeff’s love of food became more apparent, like most teenagers. He would eat breakfast at home and then go to school and eat another breakfast. One day, the school called his parents and said they didn’t think Jeff was feeling well as he didn’t eat much breakfast. The school had no idea he was eating two breakfasts almost every morning. There wasn’t a food item that Jeff did not enjoy.
A person did not know Jeff’s true strengths and abilities as his parents took him to the eye doctor once due to him saying, baa-baa, and pointing to a picture that supposedly had sheep in it to one of his staff members. The eye doctor said there was nothing wrong with his eyesight. The teacher or paraprofessional did a further investigation using a high strength magnifying glass, and found out there indeed were sheep in the photo under a tree, which was the only thing visible to the naked eye in the photo. Once Jeff got something stuck in his mind, there was no way you could change it.
Jeff did not have to see the train, or even feel the rumble of the ground to know a train was coming from miles away and would let the family know about it during his time living east of Hysham. The highlight was when trips to town had a train pass by. He loved trains so much that he wore out a VHS about them.
Jeff’s high school career was spent at Hysham High School where he graduated in 1999. Jeff had an impact on more people than he knew about and inspired many to become special education teachers.
Trips to Miles City often included a trip to McDonald’s as Jeff would say McDonald’s from the time he saw the sign until it was time to eat there. He often enjoyed an orange soda to go with his meals from McDonald’s. As every kid who has ever eaten at McDonald’s, Jeff enjoyed getting the toys.
Jeff had a love for music and enjoyed listening to it. There was not a genre he did not enjoy. Jeff also loved any vehicle with wheels on it. He spun the wheels so much on those vehicles that the wheels would come right off. One year, he even got the metal Tonka trucks as they were indestructible, but not for Jeff as it may have just taken him longer to run the wheels off that truck than the other brands.
The highlight of his younger years was when he got to ride with Dad in the feed truck, and listen to music. He couldn’t wait to go for a ride in the feed truck.
Upon graduation from high school, Jeff moved to a group home in Miles City where he had his own room. He truly enjoyed all of the people in his group home and working at Eastern Montana Industries (EMI).
Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents: Donald and Margie Eagon, Alvin and Mary Ann Tollefsrud; uncles: Neil Eagon and Ronald Eagon; aunt: Connie Henley; cousins: Lola Griggs, Billy McKeown, and Mark Eagon.
Jeff is survived by his parents: Dale and Dale Rae Tollefsrud, siblings: Jennifer (Markus), Adam, Alex, and Steven (Katlynn), and nieces and nephews: Emily, Kimberly, Kaylee, Viktorya, Cressida, Maverick, Natalie, and Stetson. He left behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Jeff’s family would like to thank his teachers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff that worked with him during his school years. A huge thank you also goes out to the staff and residents of his group home in Miles City and Eastern Montana Industries for their care for him for the past 24 years.
A visitation will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Miles City. Funeral Services will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Miles City.
Renae Meade says
Jeffrey, you were loved and will be missed more than you know.
Judy Swift says
I had the privilege of knowing Jeffrey since high school and he will be greatly missed. Much love and much respect to him and his family.
Anna M Pierce says
I do thank God that Jeffery was part of my life. “Behold my Friend. I shall love you forever”…
WES says
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS RIP MAGIC
Karen Schrader says
I had the honor of working with Jeffery he will be missed and he was loved by all.
Emily Loomis says
Jeffrey was such a bright and vibrant character. He sparked a lot of joy in staff and peers alike and was unforgettable. Each and every staff member adored him and miss him terribly. We love you, Jeff. Fly high, buddy