Lawrence Eckert, School Namesake, Passes Away

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Lawrence Eckert (August 14, 1936-August 19, 2021)

Lawrence Eckert, the namesake of Eckert Elementary School (formerly an intermediate campus), passed away on August 19 at the age of 85, just days before his 86th birthday.

Beatrice and Louis Eckert raised Mr. Eckert and his two older brothers, Louis and Bobby, on a family farm dating back to the early 1900s in Aldine, North of Houston. He came from a long line of ingenuity – his grandfather had the first drip farm and started the first farmer’s market in north Houston. According to his family, Mr. Eckert’s life was marked by this same penchant toward creativity and ingenuity.

He attended Aldine High School. Initially, he wanted to be a farmer, but his father persuaded him that farming was too unpredictable. Following the example of a close friend, he applied to the University of Texas-Austin to major in mechanical engineering.

After graduating from UT-Austin, they moved back to Houston, where Mr. Eckert began a career in the oil field industry with Oil Center Tool/FMC as a young engineer. Recognized for his creativity and leadership skills, Mr. Eckert eventually became Director of Research and Development at Hydrill and Vetco Gray. He survived multiple company mergers and worked for several oil drilling companies, including FMC, Vetco Gray, and General Electric Energy. Mr. Eckert recounted many early adventures in the industry, including working with Red Adair and putting out an oil rig fire. He traveled to the USSR before glasnost (openness) and other worldwide projects.

Mr. Eckert also had a rich life outside of his long, satisfying career in the oil industry. He served on the Aldine District School Board for many terms, including serving as School Board President, stating that he felt proud to represent the district where he had grown up and attended high school. Aldine ISD honored Mr. Eckert by naming Eckert Intermediate School (now Eckert Elementary).

He and Letia were also active participants of several churches on the northside of Houston. Mr. Eckert was a loved Sunday school teacher and was famous for leading the Royal Ambassador Youth Program, including the annual campouts, snipe hunts, and encounters with “man-eating plants.”

After retiring in his early 60s, Mr. Eckert got his real estate license. He bought and sold land in East Texas. Mr. Eckert built his ranch near Nacogdoches, TX. It is known as Little Valley Ranch, where he raised cattle. Using natural springs and adding a dam, Mr. Eckert created Lake Letia, which he filled with catfish. He loved bringing his grandkids to fish at the lake and play in the forests, where he continued to lead snipe hunts and encounters with “man-eating plants.”

Mr. Eckert’s 6’5″ lanky stature stood out, but it was his character, his quiet, wise demeanor, and razor-sharp sense of humor that truly brought him notice. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Letia, his three children — Buckley, Lance, Kimberly — his grandkids and great-grandchildren.

He was buried on August 29 at Brookside Cemetery.