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Legends never die; they simply assume their place forever in the hearts of those who choose to carry their story forward. On January 15, 2022, Ronnie Eckhart turned the responsibility of telling his story over to all who knew and loved him.
Ronald David Eckhart was born October 30, 1950 to John Allen and Dorothy (Humpherys) Eckhart in Hondo, Texas. Ronnie spent his early years rustling up all manner of trouble with his brothers on the ranches where his father worked. It was here that his love of horses, rodeo, and the western heritage took hold.
Following the untimely passing of their father in 1964, Ronnie and his older brother John Dale assumed the responsibility of helping their mother raise the family left behind. After graduating from Rocksprings High School in 1968, Ronnie entered into the US Army. He was proud of his time spent with the Chaparral corps and his sharpshooter designation. Upon honorable discharge in 1972, he returned to Rocksprings went to work driving a truck for Carol Cottle. He would continue to work for the Cottle family and Country Boys Feed & Supply for 34 years.
Ronnie met his bride Terri Lynn White in Hondo on Christmas Eve 1973 and the two were married in June 1974. They welcomed their daughter Staci Leigh in July 1977; son William Cody in September 1978; and daughter Erin Elizabeth in April 1983. The years to follow were spent in the routine of work and raising three kids. On nights and weekends the family worked together to renovate the old house that would become their first Guest House. Ronnie volunteered locally in a variety of capacities - helping with the annual Rocksprings Rodeo and serving a term on the Rocksprings City Council. The passing of his son Cody in 2004 led Ronnie to become involved with support efforts and programs for servicemembers and veterans. In retirement, Ronnie took up golf and tried to stay busy with all of Terri’s projects on the property. He crossed items off the list faster than she could put them on there, so he eventually returned to driving a truck for Grooms. He enjoyed the competition and fellowship out at the Edwards County Country Club and anxiously anticipated his next visit from the grandkids. Family and friends were always welcome to pull up a chair out at the man cave, where Ronnie always had a good story or two to share.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his father, John Allen Eckhart; his brother, John Dale Eckhart; his sister Patricia Ann (Eckhart) Kahla; and his son; Sgt. William Cody Eckhart. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Terri; his daughters and sons-in-law Staci and Shad Schoenfeldt of Fort Stockton and Erin and Kasey McComb of Alpine; his mother Dorothy Eckhart of Rocksprings; brother Gary Eckhart of Rocksprings; brother Byron Eckhart and his wife Gina of San Antonio; sister-in-law Shauna White Cook and her husband Bob of Concan, and sister-in-law Sunny Brinkerhoff and her husband Kevin of Montezuma, Kansas. To the care of these survivors he entrusts his grandchildren James, Cody, Eli and Jasper Schoenfeldt, Kendall and Kyler McComb; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews; and his adopted sons of the BRT.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Rocksprings, Texas, with funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. The family asks that attendees observe standard COVID protocols. A private family burial with military honors will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Hondo, Texas on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Edwards County EMS or the charity of one’s choice.
Ronald David Eckhart was born October 30, 1950 to John Allen and Dorothy (Humpherys) Eckhart in Hondo, Texas. Ronnie spent his early years rustling up all manner of trouble with his brothers on the ranches where his father worked. It was here that his love of horses, rodeo, and the western heritage took hold.
Following the untimely passing of their father in 1964, Ronnie and his older brother John Dale assumed the responsibility of helping their mother raise the family left behind. After graduating from Rocksprings High School in 1968, Ronnie entered into the US Army. He was proud of his time spent with the Chaparral corps and his sharpshooter designation. Upon honorable discharge in 1972, he returned to Rocksprings went to work driving a truck for Carol Cottle. He would continue to work for the Cottle family and Country Boys Feed & Supply for 34 years.
Ronnie met his bride Terri Lynn White in Hondo on Christmas Eve 1973 and the two were married in June 1974. They welcomed their daughter Staci Leigh in July 1977; son William Cody in September 1978; and daughter Erin Elizabeth in April 1983. The years to follow were spent in the routine of work and raising three kids. On nights and weekends the family worked together to renovate the old house that would become their first Guest House. Ronnie volunteered locally in a variety of capacities - helping with the annual Rocksprings Rodeo and serving a term on the Rocksprings City Council. The passing of his son Cody in 2004 led Ronnie to become involved with support efforts and programs for servicemembers and veterans. In retirement, Ronnie took up golf and tried to stay busy with all of Terri’s projects on the property. He crossed items off the list faster than she could put them on there, so he eventually returned to driving a truck for Grooms. He enjoyed the competition and fellowship out at the Edwards County Country Club and anxiously anticipated his next visit from the grandkids. Family and friends were always welcome to pull up a chair out at the man cave, where Ronnie always had a good story or two to share.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his father, John Allen Eckhart; his brother, John Dale Eckhart; his sister Patricia Ann (Eckhart) Kahla; and his son; Sgt. William Cody Eckhart. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Terri; his daughters and sons-in-law Staci and Shad Schoenfeldt of Fort Stockton and Erin and Kasey McComb of Alpine; his mother Dorothy Eckhart of Rocksprings; brother Gary Eckhart of Rocksprings; brother Byron Eckhart and his wife Gina of San Antonio; sister-in-law Shauna White Cook and her husband Bob of Concan, and sister-in-law Sunny Brinkerhoff and her husband Kevin of Montezuma, Kansas. To the care of these survivors he entrusts his grandchildren James, Cody, Eli and Jasper Schoenfeldt, Kendall and Kyler McComb; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews; and his adopted sons of the BRT.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Rocksprings, Texas, with funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. The family asks that attendees observe standard COVID protocols. A private family burial with military honors will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Hondo, Texas on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Edwards County EMS or the charity of one’s choice.