Louis James Eckler, known to all as Jim, passed away on May 10, 2025 at the age of 82 in Tonganoxie Kansas.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 25, 1942, he spent his youth in Irondequoit, New York, living on the bay off of Lake Ontario. Here he developed a lifelong love of boats, and as a teenager first met his future wife Penny. Jim followed his brother Don into serving honorably in the United States Coast Guard, visiting Hong Kong, Japan and Hawaii during his service.
After he left the Coast Guard, Jim owned and operated a historic cobblestone auto service station in Williamson, New York. During this time in the early 1970’s, Jim reunited with Penny Ely Schneider and together with her three daughters they lived across several states before settling in Lawrence, Kansas.
After a career in automotive service, Jim then worked in various positions for Hallmark Cards until his retirement.
Jim and Penny loved traveling back roads, watching their backyard birds, and looking after their beloved kitties. Jim was also a longtime member of the Douglas County Amateur Radio Club, his call sign of KC0IDF.
Jim lived his life his way, not particularly liking “rules” or being told he couldn’t do something – much to the exasperation of his wife Penny, and frequently his daughters. Despite this, he will be missed and hopefully Penny isn’t giving him too much of a hard time in the hereafter.
