Ronald (Ronnie) Bruce Eckert

Ronald (Ronnie) Bruce Eckert was born Jan. 19, 1942, in Gurdon, Ark. He was the son of John Edward and Lanora Toler Eckert. He passed from this life to his heavenly home on Oct. 9, 2014 from a farming accident on the land he loved. Welcoming him to Heaven were his parents and many other loved ones. Ronnie went to work for Missouri Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad when he was 19 years old out of Gurdon, Ark. He relocated to the North Little Rock area in 1963. Ronnie joined the North Little Rock First Assembly of God Church in 1963. Ronnie single-handedly began the Tape Ministry for the church and voluntarily served in this position for 28 years. For the past nine years, Ronnie was blessed to attend Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. In 2000, Ronnie relocated back to his home town of Gurdon, where he continued as a conductor with the railroad until he retired in 2001. After retiring from the railroad, he reserved a room in his house called, "The Train Room" and loved to share it with his grandsons. "Papa" was the light of his grandchildren's lives. Ronnie is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Charlene Easley Eckert; his children, Julie Denise Eckert of Sherwood, Ark., Gregory Jon Eckert and his wife Glenda of Sheridan, Ark. and Rebecca Ann Lowell of Sherwood Ark.; grandsons, Dalton Lowell, John Eckert, Aaron Eckert, Jett Rose, Trey Lowell, Chandler Lowell and one sister, Renie Taylor and her husband, Lano of Mt. View, Ark. Ronnie's celebration service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13 in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel in Arkadelphia, Ark., with Pastors Brad Russell, Joe Wilmouth and Stan Parris officiating. Burial will be 2 p.m. Monday in Rose Hill Cemetery in the Sycamore Community off Highway 51 near Beirne. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Ronnie loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener. He loved to share with others the fruits of his labor. In lieu of fresh flowers, the family would appreciate cuttings from your garden or annuals that could be enjoyed for years to come. Memorials may be made to the Rose Hill Cemetery Fund (in the Sycamore Community) c/o First State Bank Gurdon, Ark. Online guest register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.