James (Jim) Kevin Eckerd, age 51, of McKinney, Texas, passed away January 28, 2018. James was born June 18, 1966, in Los Angeles County, California, to John and Nicky (Fuci) Eckerd, Sr. He married Lisa Bell on November 3, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Eckerd of McKinney, Texas; son, Jordan Eckerd of McKinney; daughter, Elizabeth Eckerd also of McKinney; mother, Nicky Eckerd retired in Loudon, Tennessee from Waynesburg PA; sister, Diana Eckerd Wagner of St. Petersburg, Florida; brother, John Eckerd Jr. and wife, Lauren of McKinney; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his father, John Eckerd, Sr.
Jim lived in Greene, Washington and Allegheny counties in Pennsylvania with his family from 1970 to 1995 when he moved with his wife to Dallas, TX to start their family. He was most well-known for his quick wit, love of sports and his entrepreneurial spirit, which he expressed through his many business ventures.
Jim was a Blue Chip high school quarterback and started his playing days as the starting Quarterback his sophomore year in Green County PA for the Waynesburg Central Red Raiders and finished his senior year as Varsity Quarterback for the Beth-Center High School Bulldogs. After high school Jim attended and played football for the College of San Mateo Bulldogs and University of Pittsburgh Pitt Panthers where he also studied business.
Jim started his business career earlier than most managing installations for the family owned home satellite company Micro Scan. After college Jim co-founded Sewickley PA based Universal Communications Group Inc., which pioneered the development of the first direct to consumer Ku band Private Satellite Networks.
Jim’s broad knowledge of broadcast, video production and sports raised the bar on the Instructional Sports/Fitness Video industry. Jim developed, Executive Produced and marketed several of the most renowned and financially successful Instructional Sports and Fitness Video products utilizing the talents of such people and Titles as Lou Holtz Football Camp, Troy Aikman “Football Secrets From The World Champions Series”, Emmitt Smith “Football Secrets From The World Champions Series”, Michael Irvin “Football Secrets From The World Champions Series”, Mia Hamm “Kick Like A Champion Series”, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Country Western Workout and more.
During Jim’s professional career his works have been seen in such publications as Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated Kids and aired on a large selection of television channels like ESPN, ESPN 2, MTV, BET, Spike TV, Discovery, Discovery Kids, The Travel Channel, Speed Channel.
Jim will be forever missed by his friends and family. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family request donations to the American Heart Association.