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JAMES HERMAN "BUD" ECKELKAMP James Herman "Bud" Eckelkamp, 93, of San Antonio, TX, passed away into the care of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 10, 2015 in Lake Charles, LA. Graveside services will be held Friday, January 23rd at 10:00 am at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, with the Rev. Richard Grant officiating. Family visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 22nd at Mission Park South Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX. Mr. Eckelkamp was born October 5, 1921 in Electra, TX to Edmund Lawrence and Julia Johanna Eckelkamp. He graduated High School from Electra High School. He was inducted into the Army in October, 1942 where he served in the 380th Bombardment Group as an Aircraft Mechanic in the Pacific Theater of WW II. Mr. Eckelkamp also served in the Air Force Reserves, where he achieved the rank of Staff Sargent with the 158th Fighter Bomber Squadron. After his service he worked at Kelly Air Force Base as aircraft mechanic until retirement. On August 17, 1946, he married Lulu Irene Welch of North Tonawanda, NY in San Antonio, TX. They enjoyed over 56 years together before Irene's death in 2003. Mr. Eckelkamp was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, in San Antonio, TX, where he served in various ministries including Royal Ambassadors, Deacon Ministry, and coaching boys Softball teams. Bud loved camping and spending time outdoors. He received the Floy Cadwallader Heritage Award from First Baptist Church in 2013 in recognition of his service to his Lord and the Church. Bud was interested in antique/classic automobiles having owned Nash's, Packard's, Kaiser's, and Chrysler automobiles. He was a long time member of the Nash Car Club of America and Packard International Car Club where he enjoyed traveling to various car shows and events. Mr. Eckelkamp was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene, his sisters Loretta Farrar, Tudy Noel, Jean Mossman, and Emmie Johnson. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Tinnin and husband Rick, daughter Loretta Holligan and husband Harold Knoll, son Jim Eckelkamp and wife Kay, granddaughters Patricia Tinnin, Stephanie Tinnin Doretto and husband Elia, Elizabeth Eckelkamp, and Julia Eckelkamp. Special appreciation must be offered to the following for their personal attention, compassion, and care of Bud in his later years: his nephew Dennis Wall, Dan Alexander, Gladys Manske, Gary Allen, the staff and caregivers of Emeritus Assisted Living Memory Care in Lake Charles, LA, nurses and staff of SouthernCare Hospice of Lake Charles, LA, and the doctors and nurses of Lake Area Medical Center in Lake Charles, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Television Ministry of First Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX.

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James Herman "Bud" Eckelkamp

October 5, 1921 - January 10, 2015