Kenneth Walt Eckert

Kenneth Eckert was called home by Jesus on February 22, 2025. Though he has now departed this world, he leaves behind a legacy that his loved ones will not soon forget.

 Ken was born to William and Elvina Eckert in New Orleans, where he grew up alongside his brother, William, and sister, Dorothy. Ken could often be found outdoors, earning badges to become an Eagle Scout or perhaps even swimming in Lake Pontchartrain. In a true New Orleans romance, Ken met the love of his life, Verna Setze, on a streetcar and undoubtedly captivated her with his charm and smooth dance moves. They would soon wed and would remain faithfully devoted to each other. Not even a global conflict could deter them. Ken was sent across the Pacific to serve his country during World War II and later the Korean War. He became eligible to volunteer for the Army a few months before World War II concluded, and he liked to point out with a smile and a wink that our adversaries surrendered only a short time after he entered the fray.

 Ken and Verna would go on to start a family, raising two sons, Kenny and Eric, and a daughter, Cheryl. Ken’s career took the family from New Orleans to Arkansas after a few detours in Mississippi and Virginia. Their family tree would soon blossom to include grandchildren, then great grandchildren, and even great great grandchildren, not to mention the wonderful daughter-in-law, Debbie, and superb son-in-law, Bruce, whom they picked up along the way. Ken held Verna’s hand when Jesus called her home nearly eighteen years ago, and no doubt now that Ken has joined her they are riding hand-in-hand on streetcars in heaven.

 Ken was a man of real faith. Not a hollow or showy faith. He volunteered his time and energy to serve the poor and to spend time with Jesus, attending Mass daily for most of his life and helping create and run programs for senior citizens at his church. To honor his efforts Christ the King Catholic Church named a room in one of its buildings after Ken. Ken would never ask for such an honor, which is probably one reason why the honor was bestowed on him in the first place.

 Not only did Ken’s actions reveal a genuine faith, but his character did too. The Bible says in Galatians 5:22–23 that these are the fruits, or the marks, of someone filled with the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Perhaps no one exemplified these attributes more than Ken. He was a light in a dark world. May we too shine as he did.

 We will certainly miss Ken. His goofy grin, his jokes, his advice, his stories, his encouragement. We will miss those unexpected letters in the mail and even all the Mardi Gras beads. But we are comforted knowing that he has gone home to the one who loves him most. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15.

 We will celebrate Ken’s life at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, with the help of Smith Family Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Little Rock Compassion Center, the Helping Hand, and Missionary Sisters of Charity.

Services will be officiated by Bishop Francis Malone. Graveside services will be officiated by Father John Marconi.