Jim Easton, the second-generation owner of the Easton sports equipment companies after his father, James D. Easton, and a pioneer in aluminum-based manufacturing processes used in sports equipment, died at his home in Los Angeles on December 4 at the age of 88.
Easton began his career working for Douglas Aircraft from 1959 to 1964 before joining his father’s company, BRG Sports (later Easton Sports), which developed the use of aluminum in ski poles and baseball bats. He became president in 1973.
Easton developed the first aluminum ski poles with his brother Bob, followed by the first aluminum baseball bats. Both pieces of sports equipment had historically been made of wood. Similarly, they developed aluminum hockey sticks instead of the traditional wooden sticks in the 1980s.
The company also pioneered using aluminum arrows for archery, and, after organizing the World Target Championships in Los Angeles in 1983, Easton became president of World Archery from 1989 to 2005.
Easton was made a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1994 and served as its vice president from 2002 to 2006 before becoming an honorary member in 2015.
Easton was known for his philanthropy, donating $11 million to the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and serving on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors to the Anderson School. He was chair of the Easton Foundation, a family philanthropic foundation.
As president of World Archery, he led the sport through years of modernization by introducing the matchplay competition formats and establishing the federation’s first professional office. He was also the founding donor to World Archery’s development foundation, which manages the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne. He was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1997.
Easton Diamond Sports was acquired by Rawlings in October 2020.
Michael Zlaket, CEO of Rawlings Sporting Goods and Easton Diamond Sports, commented on Jim’s passing, “On behalf of everyone at Rawlings Sporting Goods and Easton Diamond Sports, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Jim Easton. He was a truly special human being who left an indelible mark on not just the archery, baseball, and softball industries but the sporting goods world as a whole. He will be greatly missed.
“Jim was a one-of-a-kind role model for all who were fortunate enough to work with him. Jim had high expectations that if you did something, you were to do it right. Details and precision were what separated great companies from good ones. Innovation was always at the forefront and integrity meant everything. These were the values Jim not only embodied but mandated and grew to be the backbone of the company. Everyone who worked for Jim learned to do business by these standards. It was the only way to conduct business and it still is.
“Rest in peace, Jim, and thank you for your many contributions to the industry from so many who have grown from your leadership.”
“The contributions the Easton Family has made to the sporting goods industry have been extraordinary and Jim played a major role in its success,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA president and CEO, in a statement. “We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Easton and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Prof Dr Ugur Erdener, who succeeded Easton in the presidency of World Archery, led tributes to his predecessor, calling him an “influential leader who inspired positive change for the sport.”
“Jim’s contributions to archery, the Olympic movement, the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games and the numerous events, business and philanthropic endeavors he volunteered his time towards were immeasurable. His legacy of innovation, particularly in making archery more spectator-friendly, set the foundation for the success the sport enjoys today. His passion for archery will be missed but not forgotten. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife Phyllis, son Greg, daughter Lynn, and the entire Easton family for their loss.”
Photos courtesy World Archery and NSGA
