Carl Frederick "Freddie" Stecks, Jr.

Struck down by a stroke after a year-long struggle with colon cancer and lingering effects of an earlier stroke in 2010, Carl Frederick (Freddie) Stecks, Jr. died on September 11, 2016, With the loving support of his family he gently left, holding the hand of his wife, Jane. Preceding him in death were his parents, Carl Frederick and Ida Mae Eagle Stecks, brother, Michael E. Stecks, and grandparents, Carl Gustav and Minnie Bock Stecks and Charlie and Ida Mae Bevis Eagle. Freddie was 78 years old on July 29, 2016, born in Little Rock and raised on his Stecks grandparents' farm between Scott and Lonoke. Beginning school at Scott but transferring to Lonoke in the 8th grade, he graduated from Lonoke High School in 1956 and treasured his friendships there until the end of his life. In 1962, Freddie graduated from Henderson State Teacher College (now Henderson University) with a degree in accounting, the first in his family to graduate from college. Lessons of work and pride in accomplishment learned from his father became a hallmark of his life. Distinguishing themselves in these areas led the Carl F. Stecks family to be named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year in 1963. He was a member of Bayou Meto Water Management District board for many years and actively practiced water conservation on his own farm. Always a devoted family man, but still driven to succeed at farming, he worked many long hours to provide a good life for his wife and four children. Among other things, he taught his children humility, kindness, respect, how to work hard and how to go against the grain to do what is right. He never pushed them to fulfill the world's ideal of success, but always insisted they strive for their own. Smitten with love in 1960 after a summer date while between semesters at their respective colleges, and later miserable 800 miles apart, Freddie and Jane eloped to Stillwell, Oklahoma in May 1961, assisted by their long-time friends Phil and Jenna Baker, shocking friends and family. Happily their marriage lasted 56 years. Some happy memories: the Eagle family reunions at Siems Park between Dallas and Little Rock; Mohawk haircuts; continental "kits" for cars; football and basketball and a "rumble" after a concert at Robinson Auditorium while in college; camping trips with friends while raising his family. He is survived by his wife, Jane Percefull Stecks and children, Carl Frederick "Trey" Stecks, III (Lani) of Lonoke, Gregory Edward Stecks of North Little Rock, Leigh Stecks Quirk (Brendan) of Little Rock, Kevin Russell Stecks, of Sherwood and eight grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Brenda Stecks Smith (Randall) of Russellville and sister-in-law, JoAnne Young Stecks of North Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 2 p.m. followed by a visitation. Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, 2200 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72211 or Lonoke First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 151, Lonoke, Ark. 72086. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.