Vidal Easton

January 10, 2021

Vidal Easton passed unexpectedly on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the age of 86. He was born on April 18, 1934 in Natchez, Mississippi, lived his early years in Vicksburg, Mississippi and moved to New Orleans during junior high school. He graduated from Xavier Preparatory High School and was a member of the graduating Class of 1955 at Xavier University (Physical Education). He also pursued graduate education at Tulane University and received his Master’s in Education (+30). While at Xavier he was an accomplished student-athlete and many of his lifelong friends heralded from the early 1950s XU football and track teams. Vidal had an absolute ball at Xavier and often remarked that he would go back to college in a heartbeat even at today’s tuition prices. Vidal was an accomplished educator and administrator. Upon his retirement from the Orleans Parish School Board in 1992, he had provided 37 years of service. He served in various roles from physical education teacher, guidance counselor, ranking teacher to assistant principal, and principal in elementary, junior and high schools such as John F. Kennedy High School (guidance counselor), James Derham (physical education teacher and basketball coach), Phillips Junior High (assistant principal), Frederick Rivers (Assistant Principal/Principal), and Bienville Elementary (principal). Some of his most fond memories involved the impact he was able to make on young lives and the interactions he had with faculty and staff members at those schools. He loved supporting out-of-classroom activities to introduce and expose students to new and different things to broaden their experiences and horizons. He was relentless in his efforts to get the best out of others, was a master at observing and critiquing, was firm yet fair, and in certain instances had no problem utilizing discipline when necessary or humor when helpful to lighten the room temperature. Vidal Easton met his wife Bonnie Brumfield at his first teaching assignment, McDonough #41 and they recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Vidal loved sports and he served more than 40 years as a high school football official through the Greater New Orleans Football Official Association. He garnered several awards through the Louisiana Sports Official High School Athletic Association and also officiated high school basketball games. Vidal was a fixture at the Xavier University Barn Gymnasium and Xavier University Convocation Center for XU basketball games. He served as the official clock/score keeper for more than 30 years. His love for the Xavier University Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush basketball teams would happily find him traveling to away games in Mobile, Alabama and along the Gulf Coast. He thrived being around young people (and young at heart) and cherished the opportunity to pour encouragement, share his wisdom, and jokes with whoever would provide him with an audience. Vidal Easton was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi with over 60 years of love and service to the fraternity. He chaired the Annual Kappa Picnic for many years and looked forward to other annual Kappa events like “Shaking Cans for Sickle Cell”, the Kappa Black and White, and Sunday Brunch Groups. He held several elected and appointed roles in the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter. In the 1970s, he was advisor to the Beta Iota Chapter (Xavier University) and Beta Gamma (Dillard University) chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi. Vidal was an avid tennis player who loved the competition and comradery of the sport. He won many tournaments and was ranked in the top twenty in the Southern tennis rankings for many years. He played at the Xavier University courts in the early 1960s and 70s and in the 1970s was the mainstay of characters who played regularly at Stern Tennis Center (now known as Atkinson-Stern Tennis Center). He was a founding member of the Stern Tennis Booster Club and served as its’ tournament director for decades. He often used tennis as a vehicle to engage young and older people alike. He would give free tennis lessons and loved to pour into promising young tennis players in communities where tennis is not well known and for persons who often didn’t have the means for lessons, court fees, equipment, apparel, etc. He was passionate about using the funds of the Booster Club to support promising young tennis players to train, travel to out of town tournaments, while also showing his interest in their abilities both athletically and academically. He especially liked to coach and mentor those that were perceived to be an underdog so that they could shine and be proud of their improvement. Vidal Easton had a quick and witty sense of humor that was always delivered with impeccable timing. He often would bring up little details that were often forgotten to let you know that he was paying attention. He had a big smile, unforgettable loud laugh, and encouraging and uplifting words that he was willing to share. He was a true competitor, an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles and was a family man. Left to mourn his death is his loving wife of 63 years Bonnie, his devoted daughter Michelle, his two Godchildren Jamelle Simpson (of Mobile, Alabama) and Julie Henderson (of New Orleans), the Simpson Family from Mobile Alabama (Darick, Connie, Loren, Austin, Courtney and their children), Deborah Jackson, lifelong friends Brenda Chapital, Bernard Griffith, Benny Prescott (of Inglewood, California), many “old timers” from Stern Tennis Center, his loyal friends from the Bottom Line, members of Kappa Alpha Psi, and many coaches, players, and staff of the Xavier University Athletic Department. He and his wife were long time members of Blessed Sacrament/St. Joan of Arc (and family) and he loved Fr. Chuck, the congregation, and was lifted higher every Sunday by the praise and worship of the gospel choir. Family and friends are invited to the visitation on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament/St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 8321 Burthe Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 from 9 – 11am (9am – Kappa Alpha Psi Ceremony; 9:30 -11:00am Rosary and viewing). The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am and there will be a private graveside service. Due to Covid-19 restrictions attendance is limited and attendees must wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook In lieu of flowers, please consider making a financial donation to the Vidal Easton Athletic Scholarship at Xavier University of Louisiana. Contributions will benefit Xavier University Student-Athletes. Gifts may be mailed to 1 Drexel Drive, Box 66, New Orleans, LA 70125 (note Vidal Easton in the memo line) or online at www.xula.edu (note Vidal Easton in the comment section).