Donald Earl Eckard

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Cela & Pearl Lawter Eckard; brothers, Harold Eckard and Max Eckard; sisters, Jolene Huffman and Gail Presnell; son-in-law, Jack Allan Williams; and great-grandson, Jack Allan Williams.

Left to cherish his memory in addition to his loving and caring wife of 55 years are his daughters, Donna Williams of Hickory and Crystal Frey & Marc of Newton; sons, Thad Eckard & Kayla Dawkins of Asheville, Jon Eckard & Carmen of Hickory, Richard Eckard & Tammy of Claremont; brother-in-law, Eugene “Son” Huffman & Pat of Claremont; also grandsons, Maxwell Eckard and River Eckard of Hickory, Allan Williams & Diana of Hickory, Jacob Carter & Tricia of Hickory, Jesse Frey & Brenna of Claremont, Chad Eckard of Newton; granddaughters, Kimberly Stevison & Brian of Anderson, SC, April Williams-Slater & Kevin of Hickory, Aireale Knowles & Gary of Matthews, Lisa Arrowood & Corey of Sherrills Ford, Amanda Williams & Jonathan of Newton; 14 great-grandchildren, and special nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He was a 1956 graduate of Hickory High School and earned many certificates in Electrical Engineering. He retired from Duke Energy in 1995 after 35 years of service, mostly in the Construction Department. Following retirement he was employed with Tri-City Baptist Church as Operations Administrator for several years.

He loved The Lord and his family above all else. His second love was missions with emphasis on Central and South America where he traveled and ministered with friends through the years and where he and Evelyn cultivated many lasting friendships. He always considered it a privilege to worship with these dedicated Christians who served in tough places like the jungles and out-of-the-way villages of Honduras and Nicaragua. Don was a past member of Tabernacle Baptist in Hickory and Tri-City Baptist in Newton where he served in various areas of opportunity. He was most recently attending Gateway Baptist in Newton.

Don enjoyed SCUBA diving, bluegrass, traveling and the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, biking and hiking with family and friends and his Duke family. His enjoyment of Laurel Springs was cut too short. Don was a man of character and was loved and respected by all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed. His life verse was Ecc. 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Oct 23, at 10 O’clock at Gateway Baptist Church in Newton with Pastor Stoney Benfield officiating. Private interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The body will lie in state at Drum’s Funeral Home on 29th Avenue NE in Hickory on Friday, October 22, from 11 AM till 5 PM and at Gateway church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The family requests that those attending wear a mask, out of respect for others, and they will be available. Social distancing will be practiced.

The family wants to thank Carolina Caring, Dr. Douglas Miller at Wake Forest Internal Medicine and Dr. John Peterson at Carolina Oncology for their sincere care of Don during his short illness.

Memorials may be sent to Good Samaritan Missions, P.O. Box 430, Villa Rica, GA 30180, to further the Gospel in Honduras and Nicaragua.

Condolences may be sent to the Eckard family at www.drumfh-hickory.com

Drum Funeral Home of Hickory is honored to be serving the Eckard family.