- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1937
- Date Of Death: February 16, 2018
- State: Florida
Jack Ray Eckert, age 80, Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his residence in Cocoa Beach, Florida on February 16, 2018. He was born September 6, 1937 to the late Bert Eckert and Zella (Symonds) Eckert.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Shirley (Boetz) Eckert, daughters Kim (Tim) Ernstmeyer of Northfield, WI and Lisa (Don) Brubaker of Jacksonville, FL and grandsons Avery and Andrew Ernstmeyer. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Beatrice (Babe) Mercer; Charlotte (Marvin) Wheeler; and Burton (Lavonne) Eckert.
He was a graduate of Liberty Township High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in basketball and baseball, and was scouted by the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers as a pitcher. He also attended Bowling Green State University.
Jack had a lifetime interest in fishing, hunting, and caring for birds. He loved to fish on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean, in the waters of Lake Erie, and off his dock on the Portage River.
Jack’s main career was as a firefighter for the city of Bowling Green, Ohio from 1963 until 1988 when he retired as a Fire Lieutenant Platoon Commander. He also maintained certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Safety Inspector.
Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961 in the 702 Battalion, Headquarters Company, where he delivered Top Secret messages and chauffeured the Colonel.
