His Final Wish…

As most of you know, Brooke and I lost our Dad this past September after a short, six week battle with stage 4 Liver and Bile Duct Cancer. Six weeks is such a short time, and certainly not enough time to do and say all the things one wants. But as it turns out, this wasn’t the case for our Dad. You see, during his Celebration of Life gathering, we heard the wonderfully inspiring story of our father’s last wish for the very first time. While in the hospital, he sat with his dear friend of over 50 years (his fraternity brother from App State) and asked him for a favor. He asked his friend to plan a Charity Golf Tournament to raise money for some of the organizations that had impacted his life the most over the last 70 years. This is who our Dad was. A man and a friend who wanted to help others. Throughout his life, he has helped change people’s lives and build relationships. This was something that was important to him, came naturally to him and brought him much happiness. Aside from his family and friends, there was not much that our Dad loved more than Appalachian State University. His college years spent at ASU helped shape him into the kind of friend and the man that would be loved and admired by many for the rest of his days. Our Dad has always found great joy in helping the youth and young adults fulfill their dreams. He took many of our childhood friends under his wing. He provided encouragement, support, guidance, and friendship to them and many others. He wanted to see young people live a full and successful life, which brings us back to the purpose behind the Chris Eckard Charity Golf Tournament. It was his last wish that we raise money for a scholarship to Appalachian State University for a Wilkes Central High School graduate who has been accepted to attend ASU in the fall of 2024. Funds will also be distributed to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, Wilkes Central High School golf program, the Wilkes Cancer Society and the Kappa Sigma Endowment fund.

Over the last several months, friends near and dear to our Dad have poured their heart and soul into planning and fundraising. It has been amazing to see what they have accomplished - a true representation of how our Dad lived his life through helping others. The golf tournament, that will take place later this week, is full. However, if you would like to make a donation you may do so via the Go Fund Me link. We cannot think of a better way to honor and remember our Dad, a man loved and cherished by many, than by giving back to others.