Gerald Eckhout

Gerald "Jerry" Eckhout
July 18, 1943 - January 14, 2017
Gerald "Jerry" Eckhout, 73, of Nampa, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at a Nampa hospital. Jerry was born on July 18, 1943 in Tacoma, Washington to Clair and Margaret Eckhout. They moved to Nampa where Jerry went to school and graduated from Nampa High School in 1962. He joined to U.S. Army in January of 1963 and served in Germany. After his years in the service he came home where he met and married Diane Rupert. He got a job working for the City of Nampa Street Department as a heavy equipment operator for 31 years. He retired in 2002. He enjoyed raising and racing quarter horses.
Jerry and Diane have two daughters, Stacy and Chris. They all enjoyed doing 4-H, Rodeo, and Horse Racing. He enjoyed raising and racing quarter horses for several years. Jerry was an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Idaho Quarter Horse Breeders. He was involved with chariot racing for several years. He was Past President of Lower Snake River Valley Quarter Horse Association and Director for Ore-Idaho Quarter Horse Association. Jerry was also a member to the Caldwell Elks Lodge.
Jerry and his family lived in Nampa until 2006 when they sold the farm and moved to Homedale. Diane and Jerry built their dream home and horse operation. He also raised cattle at his new place in Owyhee County.
He is survived by Diane; his daughters and sons in law, Stacy and Kenny Woods and Chris and Fred Hahn, all of Homedale; his two granddaughters, Samantha and Kari Woods; and a sister, Sharon Hale of Nampa.
His was preceded in death by his parents and a brother in law, Jerry Hale.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the Nampa First Christian Church. Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a favorite charity.