Charles James Eck Jr.

Charles James Eck, Jr. passed away at the age of 90 on January 2, 2011 of age related causes. Born on May 23, 1920 to parents Charles J. Eck, Sr. and Emma Abel Eck of Chicago, Illinois. After two years of College he felt the need to serve his country and joined the Army Air Corps prior to the U.S. entering into WWII. He was assigned to the Provost Marshall’s office with the primary duty of escorting POW’s from Brooks Field, San Antonio, TX to Fort Leavenworth, KS. One of his episodes is chronicled in “Texans Touched by World War II” by Stephen Neal Manning. After the war he was transferred to Ellington Field, Houston, TX where he met and married the love of his life, Patricia J. Higgins. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to Clark Field, Manila, Philippine Islands where he was assigned to Army Counter Intelligence. He was then transferred to Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, TX where he began his USAF career with the office of Special Investigations (OSI) and became one of the first Polygraph Operators in the Air Force. Along with his officer’s commission he received numerous awards and commendations throughout his 24+ years in the military with duty stations in New York City, Tripoli, Libya and then back to Fort Worth. After a short stint with a private investigation firm in New Orleans, he returned to Fort Worth and was employed by General Dynamics for 20 years initially in security and then as an investigator specializing in industrial and external espionage. He then retired to the golf course as an avid golfer and served 16 years as a Greens Marshall at the Colonial Invitational Golf Tournament. Charlie (Chuck to his family) was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters; Ruth Seibert and Shirley Sharp and his loving wife of 49 years, Patricia H. Eck, one of the best military wives there ever was. Surviving him are his two sons, one daughter and two grandsons; Michael J. Eck, wife Sheila and their son Brian of Houston, TX, Patrick G. Eck and wife Cynthia of Liberty Hills, TX, and Toni L. Ewton, husband Floyd and their son Jack of Louisville, KY. He is also survived by his brother Richard Eck and wife Dorothy of Quincy, CA, sister-in-law Jan Burns of Moreno Valley, CA, and sister-in-law Lois Gilbert of Canon City, CO along with many nieces and nephews. Interment will be held at VA Houston National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Charles James Eck Jr.

May 23, 1920 - January 2, 2011