Eckhardt , J. Jim, March 27, 1921-March 11, 2014 The Tribune Greeley, Colorado 14 Mar 2014 Age: 92 Residence: Kersey John James (J. Jim) Eckhardt was born in LaSalle, to John E. and Katie (Steinmiller) Eckhardt. His parents both immigrated from Russia at a young age. Jim grew up in the Greeley and Kersey areas, and graduated from Greeley Central High School in 1940. On Jan. 31, 1942, he married Lillian Wright in Castle Rock. She passed away Oct. 17, 1997. He operated a dairy farm near Kersey until his retirement. He was active in many groups throughout the years, including Kersey Lions Club, Platte Valley Grange, Weld County Rock & Mineral Society and Kersey Senior Center. He served on the Platte Valley Schools RE7 Board of Education, and was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Greeley, and later joined the Kersey Community Church. He was an accomplished high school basketball player and worked at Warnoco roller skating rink, where he first dated his future wife. Later, he was active in league bowling for many years in Greeley. He was an expert at fly fishing, and remained an avid fisherman all his life. As a boy, he would hunt after school and often brought home supper. After retiring, he and Lillian traveled across many states to dig and mine for precious minerals. He taught himself lapidary work including faceting, and made all kinds of jewelry for family and friends. He enjoyed billiards, both at home and at the senior center. In later years, he enthusiastically took up cooking and a favorite of many was his lemon meringue pies. Jim also liked to garden and especially enjoyed raising Wilson Sweet watermelon. Survivors include son, J.D. Eckhardt and wife Lois of Kersey; daughter, Jodelle and husband Chris Stromberger of LaSalle; and daughter, Judy and husband Rick Reeve of Kersey; one sister and one brother, Elma McAvoy and Robert (Elsie) Eckhardt, all of Greeley; eight grandchildren, Rick (Barb) Eckhardt of Kersey, Amy (Virtus) Banowetz of Kersey, Jay Eckhardt of Loveland, Jill (Gunnar) Magi of Estonia, Joy (Moses) Estrada of Hillrose, Rhonda (Darren) Siem of Evans, Jenna (Les) Worley of Wasilla, Alaska, and Rachel Reeve of Evans; and 15 great-grandchildren, Mikhaila Eckhardt of Amherst, Mass., Andrew Eckhardt of Bozeman, Mont., Ashley and Brandon Banowetz of Kersey, Aaron Eckhardt of Loveland, Greta, Theo, and Gloria Magi of Estonia, Eden, Malachi, Silas and Zion Estrada of Hillrose, Lauryn and Lincoln Worley of Wasilla, Alaska, and Violet Siem of Evans. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian; his parents; two sisters, Elsie (Bert) Bush and Edith (Glen) Shupe; and daughter-in-law, Sally (Orr) Eckhardt. Private graveside service will be held. Memorial service at Kersey Community Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014. Gifts may be made to the Jim Eckhardt memorial fund, in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, CO, 80634.