On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Brian Easton, beloved brother, esteemed teacher and long-time resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 68.

Brian was born on July 17, 1957, in Saint Joseph, Michigan; his parents were John and Marilyn Easton. He spent his early childhood in Michigan, moving to Oxford, Maryland at the age of 11.

Brian attended the College of William & Mary, graduating with honors in 1979, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Economics. He was inducted into the prestigious academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa. Brian attended the University of Michigan Law School, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1982.

Brian began his legal career in civil law practice with a large Seattle law firm just establishing its Alaska office. He worked on many types of litigation such as construction, banking and labor law. During his last two years he was the law firm’s senior associate in Alaska.

In 1986, Brian moved into criminal law practice with the Alaska Public Defender Agency, later forming his own practice. He handled a wide variety of criminal cases and supervised newer attorneys. He worked in different areas of Alaska including remote villages such as Bethel and Aniak where most inhabitants were Native Alaskans. Brian believed experiencing the cultural diversity of those areas enriched his life immeasurably.

Desiring a change of environment and career after 14 years of legal practice, Brian moved to New Mexico and became a teacher. He received a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico Highlands University in 1998 and was hired by Los Alamos High School that year. In 1999, Brian received the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award for New Mexico, an award for new teachers who exhibited superior instructional skills.

Brian taught a variety of social studies classes over his 25+ years including two well-loved electives – Constitutional Law and Ethnic Conflict. But he most often taught Economics, and he created and taught AP Micro and AP Macro Economics as well. In 2016, he earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership and received his administrator license but, after a brief stint in that role, he returned to his passion – teaching.

Brian was a beloved and well-respected teacher known for his intelligence, quick wit and kind nature. He had a reputation as an educator who made dry material interesting. Wearing his trademark suspenders and bushy mustache, Brian used storytelling, jokes and video game references to help students understand difficult content.

In line with his quirky sense of humor, Brian was briefly described on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the “My Teacher Is Weird” segment that aired in September 2016. Fallon read aloud a student’s anecdote about Brian stating: “My Economics [teacher] would walk into class and say, ‘All aboard the economic express!’ and we had to respond with ‘Choo-choo.’” Much laughter ensued.

Brian was always a good sport and participated in school talent shows and other fun activities. He was a compassionate, caring presence, sponsoring the Gay Student Alliance from 2000 until his retirement and working with a mental health-related club.

Brian has had a lasting impact on many of his students. One student who took Ethnic Conflict wrote, “This class and the man who taught it would forever impact my life and the way I treat others.” Another student said, “It is because of Mr. Easton that I have decided to major in Economics in college because his class has allowed me to become engaged, and his endless answers inspire me to learn.”

Additionally, Brian was a mentor to his colleagues. An active member of the local teachers’ union, Brian was the lead negotiator during talks with school administration, also serving as president and site representative. He was a fixture at School Board meetings as well. Brian also participated in a local political group, the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County.

In May 2024, he retired from teaching to enjoy hobbies including walking, exercising, playing board games, reading, playing the piano, computers and photography.

Brian was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Marilyn. He is survived by his brother Dan, his sisters Pam and Susan, three nieces and five nephews, many cousins, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. A celebration of his life will take place this summer at a time and place yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brian Easton Memorial Scholarship by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. Donations can be made online at lapsfoundation.com/donate or by mailing a check to LAPS Foundation, 1010 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM, 87544. Please note “Easton Scholarship” on any donation. Donations are tax deductible. For questions, please contact the LAPS Foundation at (505) 500-6501.