Gene Eckert, of Midland, Texas, died Friday, April 21 at Midland Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. He was born on August 1, 1951, in San Angelo, Texas to J.D. and Doris Eckert. He graduated from Odessa High in 1969 and attended Odessa College where he learned drafting and welding. He married Carole Myers in March, 1985. He worked for the Ortloff Corporation until September, 1985. He and Carole moved to Allen, TX. in July, 1986. It was there they started their own software company, ECAD, Inc. and lived until 1998 when they moved back to Midland. He and Carole worked to grow their company to ten offices in eight cities throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama.Gene loved his boat and water sports, golf, traveling and playing poker. He loved his business and never considered it a job. He considers his employees as family. Gene was devoted to his family, his little dog Blaize, and more than anything else, his loving wife Carole. She was the love of his life. They were partners in business but more importantly, partners in life.He was preceded in death by his father, J.D. Eckert of San Angelo, TX.Gene is survived by his wife, Carole; his children: Heath Eckert and wife, Diane of Odessa, TX; Chris Myers and wife Christen of Allen, TX; Stephanie Myers of Plano, Tx; Chane Eckert and wife Delma of Midland, TX; Shea Phelps and husband Jon of Odessa, TX; his mother, Doris Eckert of San Angelo, TX; and sister, Nikkii Key of San Angelo, TX. He has five grandsons and seven granddaughters with another granddaughter due in July; five nieces and nephews.He had passion for everything he did in life and was always the strength for his loved ones. He will be greatly missed. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online codolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
