James "Jim" R. Eckhart

James Robert Eckhardt July 30, 1939 to September 15, 2025.

Jim was promoted to be face to face with Jesus on Monday, September 15, 2025 at home with his loving wife and caregiver Linda, good friend Matt Holly, and Special Aid, Jackson around his bed. Due to some health issues, it led to Jim needing help from Rainbow Hospice to assist caring for him. Although Jim was very limited with moving, not able to be up and out of bed for almost a year and being in a great deal of pain, he handled the situation beautifully. Throughout his struggles, Jim kept his quick sense of humor through all of this, especially with the hospice aides and nurses. 

The lord gave Jim the beautiful gift of listening to others and speaking God’s truth. Many times we were not aware that Jim was listening or understanding conversations but words of wisdom and faith would come unexpectedly from him at just the right time! Jim loved to give beautiful books to workers and friends to let them know about God’s great creation and encouraging faith  of and a relationship with Christ.

Making lasting friendships was a gift given to Jim by the Lord. He still has many close friends from High School that he keeps in touch with. Many friends have passed on, but he loves the memories and talking to those that are near. 

Recording and doing sound for Christian artists, groups and civic events were a delight for Jim. He spent 25 years setting up sound for foreign language interpretation at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship for URBANA mission conferences, Christian Nurses conferences, Fort Atkinson children’s library events, music in the park, Memorial / Veteran Day events and more.

Over the years of life Jim was engaged in many occupations. He worked at Moe Light, Thomas Industries, served 4 years in the Coast Guard, at age 16 Jim helped with sound and radio broadcasts at Faith Community Church learning much from his father and continued to be there for sound and video most of his life. Many houses have had the electricity upgraded by him and churches had sound systems installed. For many years Jim enjoyed being up on the roof of UW Whitewater football stadium as he shot videos of all practices and games and traveled with the football team. 

For twenty-five years Jim edited the layout of the Southern Lakes Anthology, working with many gifted and talented coordinators in Southern Wisconsin to prepare and publish exceptional creative writing and artwork of students in grades 3rd to 8th. 

Jim loved children and was known as “The Hungry Man” during the time he served during custodial work at Faith Community Christian Church and served as a Treasurer on the school board. The children loved him, but when they saw him coming they would cover their snacks and desserts!

Jim married Linda on April 26, twenty-seven years ago! He wasn’t so sure about some things when joining their marriage such as cats! He hated cats, but Linda had 2. It didn’t take long before Linda was hearing Jim speaking ‘baby talk’ to both of the cats. He is predeceased by Sam and Frederic. Molly is currently mourning the loss of her daddy.

Jim is survived by son David in Washington state and daughter Tami in Oregon, step daughter Rachael, step son Chris (Traci), many step nieces and nephews, and former wife Becky. Combined he has 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. 

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, father, daughter Vicki, brother Richard, sister, grandson Mickey, great nephew Jim, great niece Jessie, aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Services for Jim will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church, 792 Milford Street Watertown, WI. Visitation will be held from 10am until the time of the service. Following the service, friends and family are invited to join us for a meal. Jim’s burial will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 11:00am at Coldspring Cemetery. 

Memorials in Jim’s name can be made out to Rainbow Hospice care and/or Calvary Baptist Church.

Nitardy Funeral Home Fort Atkinson is serving the family.