Obituary of Jason R. Eckrich

Jason R. Eckrich, age 5, the son of Steve and Jacki Eckrich of North Liberty died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from complications of leukemia. Services celebrating Jason’s life will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial will be at the Memory Gardens Cemetery, followed by a dance party reception at the Eagles Lodge in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Jason R. Eckrich Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be sent for Jason’s family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. If you would like to read Jason’s story since his diagnosis on December 23, 2008, please go to www.caringbridges.org/visit/jasoneckrich. Jason Randall Eckrich was born November 14, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City the son of Steven A. and Jacqueline (Roe) Eckrich. Jason has one brother, Joseph Eckrich. Jason was a typical baby growing up to about the age of four. Following his fourth birthday and two days before Christmas in 2008, he was diagnosed with leukemia. The next 15 months, he endured more time in the hospital than at home, a bone marrow transplant with success, and remission; only to have a relapse. To Jason, this time was filled with his love of music--he was a one-man road show. Give him the mic and his drums and watch out! Hannah Montana was his idol, if not girlfriend! He was smart as a whip, silly as a clown, and would tell you when you couldn’t remember something, “It’s a good thing you have me around!” He could navigate his IPOD and the computer like someone twice his age, and was in his glory with his Dance Marathon Girls! Three weeks ago, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he and his family went to Disney World for the time of their lives. Through the many pictures, you see a very happy five-year-old, being a kid along with his family. His family includes his parents, Steve and Jacki; brother, Joe; grandparents, June Eckrich of Sun City West, AZ; and Joseph and Patricia Roe of Coralville; aunts and their husbands, Terri and Sam McAllister of Oregon, and Nancy and Gary Todd of Arkansas; uncle Randy and his wife, Cherie Roe of Marion; many cousins, including one very special one to Jason, Elisabeth Snider and her husband, Silas of Pittsburgh, PA; and a dear friend and now part of the family, Sara Stewart of North Liberty. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Joseph Eckrich. Throughout recent months, thousands of good souls have offered prayers, thoughts, support and care to Jason and his family. For all of this and so much more, the family is thankful and grateful. A special thanks is extended to all who cared for Jason in the hospital. Sometimes Jason acted as though he would rather be at the hospital than at home! You will always be remembered. Jason’s short life was richer because of you.