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Cullum: 46141
Class: '89
Cadet Company: C4
Date of Birth: August 28, 1963
Date of Death: January 20, 2010 - View or Post a Eulogy
Be thou at peace.
James Arlen Ecker was born on August 28, 1963 in Spring-field, MA, to parents John Leonard Ecker and Irene Drouse Ecker. He was raised in Wilbraham, MA. Arlen enlisted in the United States Army, and following graduation from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School, he served as a Soldier in the U.S. Army's elite, 82nd Airborne Division. He attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and earned an appointment to attend West Point in 1985, graduating in 1989. After completion of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School in 1989-90, he went on to serve with distinction as a Rifle Platoon Leader in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the First Gulf War, where he led a Bradley Fighting Vehicle-equipped Infantry platoon of 36 Soldiers in the 1st Cavalry Division and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. After returning from the Gulf, Arlen remained in service with the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, TX until 1992. In 2000, Arlen earned his MBA from the University of Texas. He most recently worked as president at Texas Spectrum Electronics, Inc., and as Sales Director, Southwest U.S., at WEMS Electronics, Inc. Arlen married Paula Brown in 2001 and together they have two wonderful sons. He was a loving husband, father, son and brother. His love for children was paramount in his life as he spent countless hours nurturing, teaching and enjoying their lives together. Arlen also had a passion for music and was an accomplished, self-taught musician. He loved playing ice hockey. Arlen's life ended much too soon at age 46 on Jan. 20, 2010. He is survived by his devoted wife Paula Ecker, sons Ryan James Ecker and Jack Arlen Ecker, siblings Leonard Ecker, Mark Ecker and wife Debbie, and Jennie Ecker, his mother-in-law Barbara Brown, brothers-in-law Steve Brown, Jeff Brown and wife Pam, Bob Brown and wife Heather and numerous nieces and nephews. Arlen was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law Paul Brown. Memorial donations may be made to Arlen's childrens' college fund. A funeral service in which Arlen's life was honored was held Thurs., Jan. 28, 2010 at Plano Bible Chapel, 1900 Shiloh Road, Plano, TX 75074. Following the service, he was laid to rest at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, TX.