of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Wanblee Health Care Center in Wanblee at the age of 68
Harold Eckert, Jr., better known as "John" to his family and friends was born November 16, 1949, at Midland, South Dakota, to Harold and Anna (Prochaska) Eckert.
John attended grade school in Belvidere and high school in Midland, graduating in 1968.
Driving truck was John’s passion. He started out at a very young age driving for the family business, Eckert Trucking. John was well known up and down the highway by his CB radio handle, “Daddy Rabbit”. His younger brother, Bob, also drove for the family business.
The Eckert Trucking business sold in the early 1980s, but John continued driving truck, working for Larry Byrd for several years before taking employment with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, which continued for the next 15 years. Meanwhile, he was the part-time transport driver for Grant Patterson at Discount Fuel. John was a faithful employee at Kadoka Oil, driving the propane truck for Mark and Tammy Carlson until the time of his passing. He totaled 31 years employment between Patterson and Carlson.
John enjoyed getting in on a game of poker and he enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Survivors include two daughters Lori (Aaron) Iversen of Murdo and Bobbi Jo (Ben Gaylord) Eckert of Irving, Texas; two grandchildren, Carter and Taya Iversen of Murdo; one brother, Bob Eckert of Kadoka; one nephew Rob (Peggy) Eckert of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law, Jill Eckert.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Monday, January 15, at the Belvidere Community Hall in Belvidere.
Private family graveside services will be held at the Belvidere Cemetery.
VISITATION
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Belvidere Community Hall
Belvidere, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gary McCubbin
PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota