Donald Melvin "Sut" Eckard, 85, of Short Gap, WV passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandson on July 29, 2026, at UPMC Western Maryland.

He was born March 16, 1941 in Cumberland, MD to the late George and Vera (Breedlove) Eckard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sondra Jean Blubaugh; his friend and mother of his children, Janice Kay Eckard; and his best friend and dog, Dude.

Don graduated from Ridgeley High School in 1959. He then went on to serve his country with the US Air Force where he served as an electronics technician. He was stationed around the US and Japan. He was a VFW Gold Legacy Life member of the VFW Post 6452 in Ridgeley WV and once served as VFW Post Quartermaster during his membership.

After his discharge he had several jobs in the area before his career at the Kelly Springfield Tire Company. He later began another career and retired as a rural mail carrier with the USPS and was proud of serving the second-longest mail route in Mineral County, WV.

Football was a large part of his life, and he coached youth league football teams including the Frankfort Colts, Frankfort Mini Falcons, and Ridgeley Rams. For his dedication and service, he was voted into the CAYFL as a lifetime member by his peers. In addition to coaching football, he loved watching his beloved WVU Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he especially loved native trout fishing in the mountains of West Virginia. He also enjoyed building electronic appliances and working on cars, as he restored and maintained his own and his family's vehicles.

Surviving are his children, Paige Andrea (Eckard) Mitchell and husband Shane, and Christopher Blake Eckard; grandchildren, Jeremiah Rogers, Joshua Mitchell (Kaylie), Rebekah Mitchell, and Sarah Mitchell (Zoe); a brother, Ronald Eckard and his wife Norma; a sister, Carol Garlitz; his extended family, including numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated. Friends and family will be received Saturday, August 8th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Scarpelli Funeral Home P.A., 108 Virginia Ave, Cumberland. At 2:00pm, military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 13 Veterans Honor Guard.

In memory of his very generous spirit the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to any of his favorite charities: Short Gap Volunteer Fire Company, Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland, Salvation Army, Doctors Without Borders, and Heifer International.