He was born Nov. 12, 1931 in Morristown, Tenn., son of the late Anthony and Sallie J. Eckel.
Mr. Eckel was a well known high school administrator, teacher and coach in Tennessee. He graduated from Morristown College High School, Morristown College and Knoxville College. He also received a Master's Degree in Education from Tennessee State University. Mr. Eckel was a veteran of the United States Armed Services. He began his high school teaching and coaching career in Alamo, Tenn., then as a math teacher and coach at the former Morristown West Hight School (currently West Elementary) for 12 years, then moved to Morristown East High School for two years before relocating to Kingsport's Dobyns-Bennett High School as a teacher, assistant principal and coach for over 25 years. Mr. Eckel was very involved in the community and active in several organizations including Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, NAACP, Reunion of the Age, Tee to Green Golf Club and the Democratic Party.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Howard, William, Raymond and Ralph; and sisters, Lou, Martha Jane and Nell Eckel.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Stewart Eckel; son, James Anthony Eckel Jr. and his wife, Roslyn of Raleigh, N.C.; and two grandchildren, James Anthony III and Linsey Dylan Eckel of Raleigh, N.C.; sisters-in-law, Mae Long, Celia Williams (Richard) and Sara Dailey of Morirstown, Josephine Scrugg (Julius) of Huntsville, Ala. and Troy Stewart, Jr. of Morristown; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and other friends and acquaintances.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Thursday at First United Methodist Church at 101 East First North Street, Morristown.
Funeral services will be Thursday at the church at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Hamblen Memory Gardens Morristown, Tenn. Dockery Funeral Home, Inc. of Morristown, is in charge of arrangements.
