Judge Kenneth Eaton was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the public schools of Florence. Upon graduation, he attended Clemson where he graduated in 1961.

Following graduation from Clemson, he enrolled in law school and graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1964. After graduation from law school, he taught school in Florence for a brief time before entering the United States Army as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He served six years in the JAG Corps as a military trial judge. He was discharged in 1970 with the rank of major.

After discharge, he practiced law with McGowan Law Firm in Florence until 1998, at which time he retired.

In 2000, he was appointed Probate Judge for Florence County to fill the unexpired term of the incumbent judge who had resigned to run for another office.

Judge Eaton has served continuously without opposition since that time.

He has served as President of the Florence County Bar Association, Optimist Club, and First Vice President of the South Carolina Association of Probate Judges.

In 2007, he was the recipient of the prestigious Ralph King Anderson Award given by the Florence County Bar in recognition of service to the legal profession and the community as an advocate, scholar, and public servant.

He is a lifetime member of Central United Methodist Church in Florence and has served in many capacities over the years as a teacher, trustee, and chairman of the board.

Eaton is married to the former Joyce Medlin from Darlington. They have two children, Andrea White, a practicing attorney; and Erin Eaton, a college professor.