G. Leroy Eckardt

G. Leroy Eckardt, Lt. Commander, (Retired) U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, passed away at home on Oct. 30, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 22, 1939, Glendale, CA to Alice and Garn Eckardt. Leroy proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years. He was Officer in Charge of starting a completely new U.S. Coast Guard unit in Anacortes, which eventually relocated to Bellingham. Not only was he very proud to serve his country and community in this challenging opportunity, he was also highly commended for doing an outstanding job in all facets of the task and his service. With a graduate degree in physiology from U.C. Santa Barbara and further graduate work in gerontology at the Univ. of Oregon, Leroy was employed by AARP/NRTA and worked in Washington, D. C. and Chicago, Ill. helping the senior members of the community was his passion and he touched many lives. A finish carpenter at heart, he and his wife Karen were in business as K & L Enterprises in La Conner, WA. Leroy retired after 23 years because of his diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis caused by CORIAN dust. He served on the Wesley Homes Board of Trustees, Des Moines, WA, for nine years and the Wesley Homes Foundation for three. He loved and supported this Methodist affiliated continuing care facility and all its services for its residents. Leroy proudly represented them on the board of directors of UMA and WAHSA. In retirement Leroy planted and loved his Eagle Tree Vineyard. With the help of his family and many dear friends he saw to fruition the first major harvest in 2009. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Washington Wine Grape Growers Assoc. and took delight in tending the vines and seeing the gorgeous fruit develop. He was at peace in his vineyard. Leroy is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen; his mother Alice; sons Glen (Nancy) of Seattle and Chris (Shinn) of Los Angeles; three much loved grandchildren, Julie, Kara and Cam; his brother, John, Stanton, CA; and his extended family in Japan, Tatsuo and Akiko Kabashima and family; and Hiton-ii Yokoyama Wilcox (Mark), Kylie and Lucas. A memorial service in celebration of Leroy's life will be held Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1607 E. Division St., Mount Vernon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Leroy's name to Wesley Homes Foundation in support of the annual "Tree of Lights" giving campaign, 815 S. 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198. Arrangements are in the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.