Joe died at home on April 30, 2017, at the age of 89.
He was born in Banning, CA to George E. and Frances W. Eckert and grew up in Southern California. In 1945 he joined the US Navy, and served on the USS Sitkoh Bay. While entering the Naval Station at Everett, Washington, at age 18, he was so impressed with the beauty of this state that he decided to retire here one day.
When Joe was 35, after working in the ice and cold storage business, he applied and was accepted into the Kern County Sheriff’s Department in Bakersfield, CA. He served five years in California City before returning to Bakersfield to complete his career of 22 years. He retired from the KCSD in 1985 and fulfilled his dream of moving to and living in Washington State.
Joe’s interests were playing bridge, completing hard crossword puzzles in ink, traveling with his wife overseas, and pets; especially Maggie, an Airedale and his last dog Meghan, an Irish Wolfhound.
He leaves his wife of 68 years, Barbara, two daughters, Diane (Morse) Jeffers and Linda Gale, and one son Cliff (Deborah) Eckert. He also leaves five grandchildren, Rachelle (Chris) Flores, Georgette Gale and John Gale, and Sean (Courteney) Eckert and Kevin Eckert, and five great grandchildren.
Per his wishes no service is planned.
Barbara would like to thank Dr Cris Johnson and staff, and Assured Hospice for their support and help, and our daughter Diane, who has helped us for the last three months of Joe’s life.
RIP Sergeant Eckert, you’re back with Meghan now.