Ronnie Dean Eckhart, 78, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023, at home with his sweet wife, Rose Eckhart watching over him. Ron was born January 3, 1945, to parents Francis Cecil and Ovada Bessy Sanderson Eckhart in Watonga, Oklahoma. When he was two years old, the family moved to Bowmont, Idaho. Within a few short years after the move to Idaho, Ron's little brother, Randy Eckhart, joined the family. When Ron was 27, Francis and his second wife, Viola, welcomed their daughter, Jenni. Ron and Randy both attended school in Kuna, Idaho. Ron graduated from Kuna High School with the class of 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy Thiel, in 1965. Together they adopted their daughter, Mendi. A few years later he did the unimaginable, yet what was best for his daughter and allowed Judy's second husband adopt Mendi. With his second wife, Bonnie Leavitt, whom he married in 1971, Ron had a daughter, Doty, and a set of twin boys, Andrew and Randy. Finally in 1981 Ron met the love of his life, his eternal companion, his Cookie, his sweetheart, Rose Hawker. They married on June 26 that year. This is when he did what not many do. He took on the parenting of Rose's children from her first marriage, Joy and Samuel, something they appreciated more than he probably ever knew. They didn't waste any time adding to their small family and LorriAne was born early the next year. Ron and Rose made their home in Kuna where their three children followed in his footsteps and graduated there. For a short time, Ron and Rose lived in Melba, Idaho before spending a few years in Nampa, Idaho. They lived on Rose's mail route so she could stop and have lunch with her sweetheart, her Cowboy, every day. The final months of Ron's life were spent in Parma, Idaho living with their son Samuel and his wife, Denette. Ron and Rose loved the mountains of Idaho. They spent as much time there as they possibly could riding their horses and enjoying the outdoors. As his health declined this is what he missed the most. To be sure he is riding his horses, exploring all the trails in Heaven. Ron was preceded in death by his mother (Ovada), father (Francis); brother (Randy); son (Randy); brother and sister-in-law (Archie and Norma), and brother-in-law (Doyle). He is survived by his sweetheart, Rose; daughters: Doty , Joy (Tye) Thomas, LorriAne Crawford, sons Andrew Leavitt and Samuel (Denette) Eckhart; grandchildren: Amber (Steve) Mihaley, Nicole (Branden) Garrison, Courtney Garrison, Samuel (Felicity) Eckhart, Makayla (Jacob) Pearce, Grant (Kenzie) Garrison, Corey Eckhart, Keagan Leavitt, Lorrissa Crawford, Caleb Leavitt, Holly (Robert) Garrison, Jaycee (Simon) Garrison, Levi Crawford, Abigail Eckhart, Rebekah Garrison, Leah Crawford; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jenni Carpenter; and many other family and friends.
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