My Husband, Oscar Eatmon, Jr.

Katherine's Place

My Husband, Oscar Eatmon, Jr.

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Oscar and Katherine July 2004

Chesapeake Bay Bridge, VA

Oscar Eatmon, Jr.
my husband and friend.

OSCAR EATMON, Jr. of Raleigh passed away on Monday, May 16, 2005 surrounded by his loving family. Oscar was born in Wilson, NC on Fathers Day in 1955. He was an accomplished track athlete and graduated from Fike High School. He was awarded the Men's Civic Club Scholarship to attend East Carolina University. Oscar was the first African-American to program WECU, thecollege radio station. He went on to work at radio stations in Washington, DC, St. Louis, MO, Miami and Jacksonville, FL. Oscar wrote, recorded and performed as rapper, "The Juice." His dream was realized in 1990 when he designed, built and operated WAHD FM 90.5 radio station in Wilson, NC; followed by FM Translator W260B FM 99.9 and W60BT LPTV in Raleigh, NC. Oscar had a positive outlook on life and was a loving husband and father. He liked to say, "There is only one race, the Human Race."
He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Eatmon, Sr.
Oscar is survived by his wife, Katherine, and children, Oscar III, Rachel, Aquarius and Aries; his mother, Rachel, his sisters, Effie, Diane, Jessica and Rosa; and brother, Corey.

The Family at Thanksgiving 2004

The Disease of Addiction

His smile

Oscar died of the disease of addiction. He battled it most of his life.

We have learned that addiction is an illness not a moral issue. It is a two-fold disease. A physical allergy coupled with an obsession of the mind. It can be arrested, but never cured. It is similar in nature to diabetes in this respect. We can no more prevent the addict's use of drugs than we can stop the tubercular's coughing. No one, not even the doctor, nor the clergy, nor the family can do this for him or her.

We have found that compulsive use of drugs does not indicate lack of affection for the family. It is not a matter of love, but of illness. The addict has lost the power of choice in the matter of drugs. Even when he knows what will happen when he takes the first drink, pill, or fix, he will do so. This is the "insanity" we speak of in regard to this illness.

When we fully understand and accept that addiction is a disease, that it is both mental and physical, and that we are powerless over it, we become ready to learn a better way to live.