Jack LeRoy Eckert was born in San Diego in 1942. He attended school in Pacific Grove, CA. While in high school he had Polio and spent a year in an Iron Lung. After recovering he went on to join the United States Air Force. His first duty station was Templehof, in Berlin, Germany. While he was there serving, the wall went up. He then spent some time in England, and after that returned and was stationed at Vandenberg AFB, CA where he met my mom.
They fell in love and got married. Right after their marriage he was sent for his first tour in Vietnam. While on this tour, he earned the Bronze Star with V for Valor, was injured during the exchange and turned down the Purple Heart. Also while he was there, his first son, Timothy A Eckert was born. He did a second tour in Vietnam, and then came home. A year later I was born.
During his time in the military after that we were stationed at Offutt AFB NE, Minot AFB ND, Offutt again, and Ramstein AB W Germany. After a decorated military career of 26 years, he retired.
That was not the end of his service to our country however. He then became a Government Service worker, specializing in Intelligence work, which he did for another 15 years. He had to retire early when he was diagnosed with COPD while working at Edwards AFB, CA. For the remainder of his life he enjoyed the company of his family in Surprise, AZ.
Jack Eckert was a great man, father, and Grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Eckert, his sons Tim and Greg, and his grandchildren, Timothy Bowes , Alexis Cerdan-Borges, Samantha Eckert, and Jack Eckert II.
