Lester Eckert
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Lester Paul Eckert, 83, of Charleston, SC was surrounded by his loving daughters as he passed peacefully through the gates of heaven on May 21, 2021. His passing was sudden and unexpected.
Born on August 29, 1937 in York, PA, Lester was a son of the late Clyde W. Eckert and Romaine Grimm Eckert. Lester grew up in Red Lion, PA, and was raised by his grandmother, Bertha McCoy Eckert.. He joined the US Navy in 1955 and served for three years on the USS Laffey DD724, where he was in charge of the Evaporator Gang. He was honorably discharged in 1958.
After moving to Charleston and marrying his dream bride, Lester joined the Charleston County Police Department in September, 1959, and dutifully served 28 years with the department. During that time, Lester was transferred to the "South District" in the Hollywood/Ravenel/Adams Run area to implement a new substation manned by officers under his command. Lester learned the area quickly and learned the people and their needs and gained their complete trust. "Sarge" was well known for his great work, dignity and the trust that he had gained in everyone in the area. He was retired as a Lieutenant in July of 1987.
Since retirement he kept himself busy with his woodworking projects, fishing, helping his neighbors with work around their homes and keeping his own yard beautiful. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Andrew's Parish United Methodist Church and spent many hours doing volunteer work, building kneelers and other acts of love.
Besides his parents, Lester is preceded in death by his wife, Ludine Oliver Eckert; his sister, Connie Eckert and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his two daughters, Paula Dean Eckert Thrush and Julie Ann Eckert Thrush; granddaughter, Charleigh Amanda Stone Graham; great-grandson, Sylas Marion Graham; sister, Doris Eckert Gemmil, brother, Terry Eckert and many relatives in the Windsor/Red Lion, PA area.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 28, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley to celebrate Lester's life.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3225 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Friends and family may park at the funeral home and carpool to the church due to limited parking at the church. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Charleston, SC.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tricounty Family Ministries, 2105 Cosgrove Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405 or the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION, West Ashley, 2501 Bees Ferry Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.