Obituary of Earle Lee Eckrote

Earle Lee Eckrote, a resident of Brentwood, died peacefully on March 10, 2014. He was born in Conyngham, Pa. on July 2, 1934 to Theodore R. and Gertrude M. (Yeager) Eckrote. Earle was one of seven children. After graduating from Hazleton High School in 1951, he joined the Air Force, where he became interested in computers. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Earle started what became a successful career as a computer programmer with General Foods (later Kraft Foods). Earle met Marilyn James and fell in love and married in 1958 in Hazleton, PA. They had two daughters, Jill and Cynthia (Cindy). Earle's career included several relocations on the east coast, which ultimate resulted in a move to Livermore CA. Earle and Marilyn divorced, and after living in Livermore for 11 years another relocation settled Earle in Hawthorne, New York. This is where he met Gayle Rollmann and fell in love and married in 1982. Gayle's son, Robert Rollmann, was like a son to Earle. Gayle passed away in 1998 and in 2001, Earle moved back to California to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren, making his home in the Sommerset Community in Brentwood. This is where he met Barbara Hunt and he fell in love and got engaged to her. Earle enjoyed playing golf, bowling, Bocce ball, going to the casinos and traveling, but what gave him the most joy was spending time with his four grandchildren. Earle was an active grandfather, always making time to attend their sporting events, extracurricular activities, birthday celebrations and the like. Earle is survived by his daughters Jill Lyons (Tom) and Cindy Roach (Wayne), Stepson Robert Rollmann (Cindy), Grandchildren Kristy Lyons, Jennifer Lyons, Brandon Roach and Taylor Roach and his fiancé, Barbara Hunt and her children and grandchildren and his sister Helen Spaide (Wapwallopen, PA) and many nieces and nephews. Earle will be greatly missed by all. Earle is predeceased by his parents, his brothers Donald (Kay) and Theodore Jr. (Hillary) and his sisters Emma Englehart (Henry), Dorothy Mihalovic (Francis) and Elaine Hawk (Barry), and a nephew Barry Spaide. Earle was a devout Lutheran who always held God close to his heart. His strong faith in god assisted his peaceful passing into God's Kingdom in heaven. Earle was kind, loving and generous to family and friends. He always had a smile and good stories to tell, all of which will leave us with wonderful memories of the gift of his life. Family and Friends are invited to a church service on Thursday March 13, 2014 at 11 am at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1360 E. Tregallas Road, Antioch, CA 94509. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.