Harold Douglas "Chick" Eakman passed away peacefully at his home on his 91st birthday, December 16th, 2014. Not many people knew Chick by his real name. He was given the nickname "Chick" during his service in World War II, most likely because he only weighed 118 lbs. when he joined the Army as a young man.
Chick came from humble beginnings. He was born on December 16, 1923 in Jacksboro, Texas to Joseph Douglas and Marie Louise Specht Eakman. During his teenage years, he had two simultaneous newspaper routes where he learned the work ethic he carried throughout his life. In 1940, Chick joined the Army and went on to serve in two Pacific Campaigns (Guadalcanal and the Northern Solomon Islands) during the war. From 1944-1945, he was enrolled in the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory Unit at Cornell University. Following an honorable discharge in 1945, Chick returned home to San Antonio and married his first wife, Ouida, whom he met on one of his early paper routes.
In 1945, Chick enrolled at the University of Texas and received a BS in Pharmacy in 1950. That same year, Chick moved to San Angelo with his young family and began his career as a pharmacist at Perkins Drug. In 1957, Chick became the pharmacist and manager of the newly constructed Medical Arts Pharmacy. He later became the owner of Medical Arts Pharmacy, as well as Southwest Pharmacy and San Angelo Hearing Aid Service.
During his career, Chick was very active in pharmaceutical associations in Texas. He served two terms as President and four terms as Convention Chairman for the Concho Area Pharmaceutical Association. In 1965, he served as President of the West Texas Pharmaceutical Association, as well as the Texas Pharmaceutical Association. In 1986, Governor Mark White appointed Chick to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. He served in his capacity as a board member until 1990 and as Board President in 1989.
Chick was also the recipient of many awards during his career. In 1973, Chick was awarded the E.R. Squibb President's Award and the A.H. Robbins Bowl of Hygeia. He was awarded the Texas Pharmacist of the Year in 1980 and received the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Profession of Pharmacy from Merck Sharp and Dohme. Chick's pharmacy was also awarded the Better Business Bureau's Outstanding Business of the Year Award 1988-1989.
Not only was Chick active in state and national associations, he was also active in local civic activities. He was a member of the Lion's Club, Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Community Chest, Parent-Teachers Association, Masonic Lodge #1260, Rotary International, Better Business Bureau, and the Curriculum Committee of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy. Chick served on the Board of Directors of the Tri-Regions Health Systems Agency and was a Director and President of the Tom Green County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. He served as the Director, Treasurer, and Pharmaceutical Adviser to the Community Action Council Family Planning Unit of Tom Green County. Chick served as Secretary-Treasurer and President of the Day Breakers Toastmaster International Club. He was also a director at Southwest Bank.
In 1995, Chick reduced his workload to care for his wife, Ouida, until her death in 1998. In 2000, Chick was fortunate enough to persuade Carol Stobaugh to marry him and move to San Angelo. Chick and Carol had known each other since 1969 when they were neighbors. Chick always considered himself a very lucky man to have loved two very special women and both of those wonderful women to have loved him. He joked that they could not resist him because he was so handsome and irresistible. Anyone who knew him will remember him for his uncanny sense of humor.
In his leisure time, Chick enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally. He especially enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also a pilot for many years. Golf and bowling were also on the list of activities he often enjoyed with numerous friends. He also enjoyed ranching in Schleicher and Coke Counties over the years. He was a real life "Drugstore Cowboy". He led a life that most of us can only dream of.
In spite of Chick's humble beginnings, he accomplished many things in life. He was the definition of a self-made man, made possible by simply being an American. He always believed that success came to those who didn't make excuses. He was truly a man that came from nothing and became our personal hero. We will all miss this wonderful man, but he will always be in our hearts and minds. He set an awesome example for all of us and left a legacy that touched many lives.
Chick was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Doyle Jonetta Eakman Finley, and his wife of 53 years, Ouida Lumpkin Eakman. He is survived by his wife, Carol Eakman, a daughter, Ava Kahl, a son, Doug Eakman and wife Mary, and one step-daughter Michele Beckham. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Chad Houston and wife Jennifer, Chase Houston, and Leslie Eakman Breeland and husband Matt, plus four great-grandchildren and one niece, Jonetta Cobb, of California.
Graveside services and burial will be at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. One of Chick's favorites was Meals for the Elderly.
Family and friends may sign the online register book at
www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.
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