Arthur V. 'Art' Eckroat

Art was born August 11, 1927 to William Michael Eckroat and Mary Alice Hall Eckroat, a very short distance from the Eckroat Ranch he and his wife purchased in 1974. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret Mary Flynn Eckroat and his cherished son David Patrick Eckroat. He is survived by his sons Michael and wife Lohoma, and Don and wife Janice; grandchildren Jennifer Eckroat Pare and husband Chad, Ryan Eckroat and wife Jennifer, Melissa Eckroat and her fiancé Chris Brown, Dirk Eckroat and his wife Kristin. Art is also survived by his beloved sister Rosemary Bachle and many nieces and nephews. Early on, Art was an avid pilot somehow he was licensed to fly before he was old enough to drive. Art was an ROTC student at Oklahoma A & M. He was a skilled marksman and was a proud member of the 1946 National Champion Undefeated Rifle Team. Art served in the military as a para-trooper and was stationed in Japan before returning home and joining his older brother Bill Jr. at Eckroat Seed and Feed Co. While working at Eckroat Seed, Art was involved with Purina Feed, Grain Storage, Seed Cleaning, Bulk & Bagged Fertilizer and other jobs including the dyeing of chicks at Easter time. Later on Art became known as the "Mung Bean King". Art was very active with Our Lady's Cathedral supporting many fund-raising campaigns. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. In raising their three sons, Art loved snow and water skiing, fishing and month long family car trips to Disney Land and Worlds Fairs in Seattle and New York, and numerous national parks. With his wife Margaret he enjoyed traveling all over the world and attending Lyric Theater, the Pops, and Revelers Dance Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Bishop John Carroll School. An Evening Prayer Service will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Smith and Kernke May Ave. Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Interment will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.