Gerald D. Eckhardt age 81 of Hennessey, Oklahoma formerly of rural Columbus, Kansas passed away at his home in Hennessey, OK, after an illness on Friday evening December 5, 2008. He formerly worked with the Cherokee Co. Courthouse as the emergency manager for Cherokee County before retiring.

Gerald was born Sept. 14, 1927 in Weoka, Oklahoma the son of Orval E. Eckhardt and Margaret Arnold.

He graduated from High School and went on to get his BS degree in Fire Trainer and was a teacher at OSU teaching fire trainer courses. He was a fire Chief for Enid, Ok., and was the Emergency Management Manager in Cherokee Co. for a number of years.

Gerald was a member of the U.S Navy.

Gerald Dean married Geraldine Simunek and she survives of the home. Also surviving are two sons Keith Eckhardt and Larry Eckhardt and one daughter Joyce Clark all of Oregon. One step daughter Karen Gourd of Tulsa, Okla. Two sisters Thelma Hindam and Alma Jessee. Three brothers Kenneth Eckhardt, Virgil Eckhardt and Orin Eckhardt.

Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday (December 10, 2008) at the Simpson Funeral Home, in Columbus, Kansas. Burial will be in the Carl Junction Mo. Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Heart Association in Gerald's name.