Final Salute

ECKERT, James Watts of Troy, PA passed away on November 27th, 2024. Born in Philipsburg, PA on December 7, 1940 to George Herman Eckert and Esther Watts Eckert, Jim grew up in Tyrone, PA, and graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 1958. He completed his training at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963 and earned a Masters in Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1966.
Jim married his beloved wife Cynthia Loomis Eckert in 1964. The Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) took him to Thailand (1966-68), Vietnam (1968-70), and Boston (1970-73) before finally settling him and his growing family in Northern Virginia. His military service culminated with a post at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander, CEC, USN, in 1983. He then became a founding partner at Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd., where he was Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer until retirement at the end of 2006. Jim and Cynthia moved to her childhood home, a farm in Troy, PA, in 2007.
Jim had an abiding faith in Christ, a keen analytical mind, and a passion for learning. He invested those gifts into building things that would last, including his faith, his family, and his community. The thousands of saplings he planted on his farm are a testament to his focus on the long game, as are the thousands of hours he devoted to mentorship, hosting countless Bible studies and church retreats at his home. He delighted in deep discussion, and one of his favorite ways of showing love to someone was to send them a copy of an article he had just read, with a handwritten note across the top beginning with, “I thought you would find this interesting ”
Jim supported many non-profits with his time and resources, including the C.S. Lewis Institute, the Troy Food Pantry, the Allen F. Pierce Free Library, and his local church community, bringing to them the same desire to build wisely and sustainably that he brought to all his endeavors. He was a loving and nurturing husband, a patient and encouraging father and grandfather, and an insightful and loyal friend.
The inscription carved above his mantelpiece reflects both the driving passion of all his pursuits and the humility with which he worked at them: Soli Deo Gloria – “To God Alone Be the Glory.”
Jim is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his brother, George Eckert of Boerne, Texas; his sister-in-law Eleanor Loomis and cousin-in-law Marilyn Bohlayer of Troy, PA; his sons James (Amy) Eckert of Bristow, VA; Matthew (Karen) Eckert of Culpeper, VA; Andrew (Sandra) Eckert of Dayton, OH; and his daughter Elizabeth (Philip) Coburn of Buffalo, NY. He deeply loved and cared for them and his eleven grandchildren: Thomas (Sophia), Bradley, William, Emily, Samuel, Jack, James, Katherine, Lucy, Grace, and Andrew Henry. Jim is pre-deceased by his sister-in-law, Bertha Eckert and his brother-in-law, David Loomis.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, December 4th from 6pm to 8pm at the Gerald W. Vickery Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 1093 W. Main Street, in Troy, PA. A Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, December 5th at 11am at the Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 1214 Redington Avenue, in Troy, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Troy Food Pantry, 532 Elmira Street, Troy, PA 16947; the Allen F. Pierce Free Library, 34 Fenner Avenue, Troy, PA 16947; or the Guthrie Troy Community Hospital, Guthrie Resource Development, One Guthrie Square, Sayre, PA 18840.
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