Lieutenant Colonel Don Robert McEachern went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, in Nashville, TN after a period of declining strength and health which he endured with patience and humor. The span of his earthly pilgrimage was 88 years, two months and three days. The only son of Don and Mayhoward Austin McEachern of Jacksonville, Florida, Col. McEachern married Bette Whitehurst on New Year’s Day in 1948. He bravely served his country as a Marine Corps pilot in the Korean War, during which time he was awarded numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in mechanical engineering, he became a loyal employee of E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co. in South Carolina and in Old Hickory, Tennessee. Col. McEachern faithfully served the Lord as a founding elder of Hickory Grove Church in Mt. Juliet, TN and as a founding member of the Rafiki Foundation, a mission organization devoted to meeting the needs of widows and orphans in Africa. Col. McEachern was a steadfast servant to his family, and his concern for their welfare was voiced again in his final days. He was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-father, and an example to all in his church and community. His strength of character, his humility, and his gentle, generous heart will be missed. Survivors include wife Bette, of the home; daughters, Beverly Coffey and son in-law Gary, of Nashville, TN, Barbara McLaughlin and son in-law Chip, of Prescott, AZ, Bonnie Lloyd and son in-law Kevin, of Philadelphia, PA; son, Don McEachern, Jr. and daughter in-law Christi, of Mt. Juliet, TN; grandchildren, Kirsten, Aaron, Taylor, Katherine, Dylan, Grace, Reynolds, Molly, and Tripp; great-grandson, Caden; sisters, Jeanne Thune, Candi Ray, Rosemary Jensen, Cecil Young, and Austin Brayfield; 18 nieces and nephews. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Services are with Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery located at 7931 McCrory Lane Nashville, TN 37221 on Monday January 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be with Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home located at 429 Donelson Pike Nashville, TN 37214 on Sunday January 27, 2013 from 4:00 PM – 8:00PM. In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions can be made to Rafiki Foundation http://www.rafikifoundation.org/ or Hickory Grove PCA, http://hickorygrovepca.org/. HIBBETT & HAILEY FUNERAL HOME, 429 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, (615) 883-2361
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