"The Builder of Forest Lawn" Businessman Hubert Eaton 1966 Forest Lawn Glendale Cemetery

Hubert Eaton (June 3, 1881 – September 20, 1966) was an American businessman.

Born in Liberty, Missouri, Hubert Eaton and Charles Simms entered into a contract with Forest Lawn Cemetery in Tropico (now Glendale), California to manage the sales of burial property in 1912.[1] 

In 1917, Eaton conceived the "memorial-park" concept and Forest Lawn Cemetery was renamed Forest Lawn Memorial-Park.[2] He envisioned Forest Lawn as a place for the living, having sweeping lawns and noble architecture, stained glass, and a place that uplifted the community rather than being a place of sorrow. Eaton became noted as, and referred to himself as, "The Builder" of Forest Lawn Glendale. 

During his life, he supervised the opening of Hollywood Hills, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cypress, and Forest Lawn Memorial Park Covina Hills in the greater Los Angeles, California area which became the funeral and/or interment locations for many movie stars and other celebrities. With several beautiful chapels throughout the Glendale cemetery's park-like setting, it has also served as the wedding location for well-known celebrities, including U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his first wife, actress Jane Wyman.

Eaton's international connections enabled him to attract an incredible number of important art works to his memorial parks. He was well-known around the world as a collector and was respected at the highest levels of many governments.

Upon his death in 1966, Eaton was entombed in the "Memorial Court of Honor" in the Great Mausoleum in his Glendale cemetery. His friend Walt Disney, himself too ill to attend, was an honorary pallbearer at Eaton's funeral. Disney would die weeks later and was cremated and interred at Glendale.

References

1. Kath, Laura. Forest Lawn: The first 100 years, Tropico Press, 2006
2. Kath, Laura. Forest Lawn: The first 100 years, Tropico Press, 2006