Dane Rhea Eckols, beloved father, husband, son, grandson, brother and friend, went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2018, at the age of 47 in Austin.
Dane was born at Fort Ord, Monterey County, California on August 3, 1971. While still an infant, his parents returned to Texas where he lived for the rest of his life.
At 6’5”, Dane excelled on the varsity basketball team and graduated from Hays High School. He was a gentle and kind soul who was an excellent student, nurtured a love of reading and learning and made many life-long friends.
He continued his academic successes at the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and also became an avid Longhorn fan. With a brilliant mind and a passion for medicine and helping others, he spent the next 22 years working at PPD in Austin as a clinical researcher, achieving the title of Associate Director, Project Management. Meticulous and thorough, he was proud of the work he did, which was important to the development of medications that improved, and saved, the lives of many people. It was at PPD where he met the love of his life, Rachael.
Dane and Rachael married in 2005 and spent 13 happy years together. They shared a love of traveling, whether to Italy on their honeymoon, on family trips to New Orleans and Ireland, or on one of their many visits to Disney World.
Dane was best known as a devoted family man, who drove their daughter, Gabriela, to school nearly every day, and was a familiar sight at both her volleyball games and practices. His unfailing love and commitment to his family was evident in everything he did.
He was a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs, and could always be seen supporting his beloved Longhorns on football Saturdays.
Everyone who knew him will miss his kindness, his good sense of humor, thoughtful nature, and his devotion to his family, his job, and his friends. Truly a good man gone too soon.
Dane is survived by his wife, Rachael Cortez Eckols, and his daughter, Gabriela Reese Eckols, his parents, Shelby and Veronica (Nica) Eckols; his grandmother, Edith Eckols; his brother, Colby Eckols, sister-in-law Allison, and their children; Rachael’s parents, Carlos and Mary Cortez; step-sons Justin and Mathew Brosig; brother-in-law Roland Cortez and children; brother-in-law Ruben Cortez, sister-in-law Lori, and their children; and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Mass will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 15, with Rev. Charlie Garza as celebrant. Burial will follow at Driftwood Cemetery. Afterward, a visitation will be held at the Driftwood Community Center.
Pallbearers will be Nelson Eckols, Byron Eckols, Todd Ashby, Rick Kelley, Alex Kenaston, and Roman Grijalva.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Austin Hospice/Christopher House and the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be sent to: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.
