Clyde Henry Eck, Sr.

Clyde Henry Eck Sr., age 83, devoted father and Papaw, made that wonderful cross over into Heaven on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at his home in the Crooked Creek community of Old Fort, North Carolina.

Born on May 8, 1940, in Coeymans, New York, to Harold and Helen Eck, Clyde grew up on his parents' farm in Ravena, developing a love for animals, hard work, and spending time outdoors. Clyde relocated to Old Fort after meeting the love of his life, Judy McEntire, whom he married in November 1962. Judy and Clyde remained inseparable during their more than 58 years of marriage, spending many days in the home he built and on the land they loved, feeding chickens, bottle-feeding goats, and making memories with their family and friends.

Clyde took great pride in his various fields of work, including construction and farming. In his later years, friends and neighbors would often find him “tinkering” with something in the front-yard or at the barn. Clyde loved to care for his farmyard friends which ranged from cows, donkeys, geese, chickens, turkeys, and even a peackock along the way. But, more than anything, Papaw loved to sit in his chair telling stories about the good old days while looking over the fields and mountains that he called home.

Clyde was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Lorene McEntire Eck; his son, Leroy Alan Eck and his daughter, Helen Grace Eck. His family takes peace in knowing he is finally reunited with those he has missed dearly over the past few years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Clyde Henry Eck Jr. (Chuck); four grandchildren, Dr. Montana Eck, Ciara Buchannan (Tyler), Cody Eck (Chelsie), and Jennifer Fowler; as well as 10 loving great-grandchildren. His close friends, Mitch, Randy, Joyce, Patty, and Tabby will also cherish his memory forever.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Cherry Springs Memorial Park.