RUSSELL KENNETH "RUSTY" EICHORN

Mr. Russell Kenneth Eichorn, age 42, a lifelong  resident of DeFuniak Springs passed away Monday, April 25, 2022 in North Okaloosa Medical Center.  He was born September 9, 1979 in Panama City the son of Russell William Eichorn and Tammy Michelle Price Eichorn.  At a very young age Rusty lived with his Grandmother, whom he called “Mom” his entire life.  Mom and his maternal great grandmother, Mary Vivian Thompson who everyone called “Mammy” became the guiding factors in Rusty’s life.  A member of First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs, Rusty, for the most part was in church every Sunday with Mom and Mammy.  During his formative years, Rusty was encouraged to participate in sports, ALL sports and it did not take much encouragement.  He loved spending time with his dad and countless hours were spent together  Russ and Rusty, discussing the ins and outs of the Houston Astros, a team they both loved.  Many of his summers were spent in Tennessee with his Uncle Marvin and Aunt Judy and his cousins Chris Matlock, Kelley Honeycutt and Jacob Eichorn and their love for UT rubbed off on Rusty and he became an avid UT fan. Rusty loved all sports, baseball, basketball, football, college or pro.  He played in middle school but while in high school, Rusty and three team mates ruled the roost in Walton High Basketball.  At the time, the infamous Sonny Yates was calling some of the games and always referred to Rusty Eichorn, Adam Peterson, Bernard Lindsey and Bill Armstrong as “The Four Horsemen” a name they are still known by to this day.    Rusty was a teen in the 90’s and like all teens of his age music was a great influencer in his life but there was a twist to Rusty’s love of music; sure, he was into Metallica and Seven Dust and all of the  hits of that day yet at the same time, influenced by his Mom he loved Frank Sinatra too.  He probably kept that bit of information under the wraps from his buddies.  His favorite Sinatra hit…THAT’S LIFE.  He attended junior college, went through a couple of  marriages,worked various jobs and because of this area, most of the jobs were in South Walton in the Restaurant and Lounge venue.  With Rusty’s outgoing personality he was a hit with the patrons, and he gave a new definition to the meaning of “People Person”   He genuinely loved people and  he loved his friends but Rusty’s heart was always there with Mom and Mammy.  It was that safe haven Rusty would retreat to when life and all of life’s challenges would confront him.  One only has to ask Rusty’s friends to know of his loyalty and dedication, his unwavering camaraderie, truly a friend for life.

Among survivors are his father, Russ Eichorn and Cathy Price; his Mom, Mary Ollie Eichorn; his daughter Madison Eichorn, his Uncle, Marvin Eichorn and wife Judy.  Also surviving is Martha Ingle, one of those “true friends” we talked about in the first paragraph and his furry friend at home, ViVi.

While the family is heartbroken at Rusty's passing, they rejoice in the fact that Rusty had put his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and that he is in Heaven with his beloved great grandmother and his grandfather.  Among those asked to serve as pallbearers are Wade Carlan, Zack Floyd, Brad Wright,  Chuk Ambrose, Thomas Sconiers, Paul Shaw, Graham Campbell-Work, James Hurley, Barnard Lindsey, Jed Sconiers, Chad Cannon, Jonathan Holmes and Jay Bush.  A time of visitation will be Friday, April 29, 2022 from 10 until 11 A.M. in Jerry Evans Funeral Home with the funeral beginning at 11:00 with Reverend Adam Peterson officiating.  Rusty will be laid to rest beside Mammy in the Thompson Family Plot in Magnolia Cemetery.  Friends and family may go on line to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign the guest register at jerryevansfuneralhome.com