Herbert Walter Ecklund

Herb W. Ecklund, age 86, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus, on Sunday August 30, 2015 at 2:05 PM surrounded by his family at his home in Terrell, Texas. Herb was born at home in Charlevoix, Michigan on March 28, 1929 to his mother, Martha, and his father, Ernest. Herb was preceded in death by both his parents and his older sister Betty – all three were there to greet Herb in heaven. Herb spent most of his younger years on his parents’ dairy farm along with his Uncle’s family, before moving to Williamston, Michigan. He graduated from Williamston High School, where he played football, in addition to playing the tuba in the school band. After graduating from high school he immediately enlisted into the Air Force, obtaining the rank of corporal. He met his future wife Betty while stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. They were married on January 12, 1950. Herb was discharged from the Air Force in 1950. At this time he was already in the sales profession. With his hard work, integrity, and with his excellent sales ability, he won many awards including a cruise to Hawaii, and was mentioned in Who’s Who in Michigan. His first sales job was peddling fish door to door in his hometown of Charlevoix. He also sold Oldsmobiles for many years. Once during a tent sale on a snowy March day, Herb sold 32 cars – even though he was suffering from a very bad cold. Before retiring, he and his wife Betty managed a manufactured home sales lot in Brownwood, Texas. Herb is survived by his wife Betty of 65 years, son Mike and wife Kim of Laurence, Texas, daughter Judy Colbath of Terrell, Texas, son Steve of Cleburne, Texas, daughter, Debra Shattuck, and husband Denny, of Belding, Michigan, son Rick, of Denton, Texas, daughter Amy Marks, and husband Wesley, of Rockwall, Texas, 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, with one more due in November. Herb loved the Lord, and his church, serving wherever needed. Friends and family will cherish their memories of Herb. The family would like to extend their special recognition and thanks to American Home Health of Terrell, Texas and Dignity Hospice of Dallas. Herb’s memorial service will be Saturday, September 5th at 11:00 AM at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Terrell, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Faith Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, 1104 Griffith Avenue, Terrell, TX 75160.