James A. Eckard, 78, Duncansville, died Tuesday in Altoona.
He was born in East Freedom, son of the late Homer and Elizabeth (Lingenfelter) Eckard. He married Alma M. Boore on March 4, 1961, in Winchester, Va.
Surviving are his wife, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage; a daughter, Tammy L. Merritts and husband, John, of Duncansville; a son, James A. II and wife, Kim, of Hollidaysburg; six grandchildren: Sarah, Jay, Nate and Ben Eckard and Brad and Mitchell Merritts; and three brothers: Edwin, Richard and Thomas.
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He was preceded in death by a brother, George; and a sister, Margaret Smith.
James was a 1952 graduate of Girard College of Philadelphia. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He retired from Bell Telephone as a splicing technician in 1992 with 37 years of service.
James was a former member of the Beagle Club and had shown coon dogs. He enjoyed his grandchildren and hunting small game, deer and raccoons with a gun and bow. For 18 years, he was the coach for Hollidaysburg baseball teams.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sorge Funeral Home Inc., Hollidaysburg, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, by Father Clement G. Gardner. Interment will be at Logan Valley Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Home Nursing Agency Hospice, 201 Chestnut Ave., P.O. Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603.
