Melvin Leroy "Buddy" Eckart, Jr., 65, of Severna Park, died of lung cancer at home surrounded by his loving and devoted family on March 6, 2009.

Buddy was born in Baltimore on September 2, 1943 and was raised in the Morrell Park neighborhood of South Baltimore. He served his country in Vietnam in the US Army from 1966 to 1968. He graduated from Anne Arundel Community College with an Associates Degree. He enjoyed serving the residents of several Severna Park neighborhoods through his almost 40 years of delivering the mail for the United States Postal Service.

He spent his retirement enjoying his 9 grandchildren, 4 children and beloved wife's company through entertaining and traveling and by volunteering part time at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and for Relay for Life. He also got great joy from the friendships and many dancing partners he made through line dancing with the Countryside Kickers.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 44 years Algerie R. Eckart, his 2 daughters Melanie Nagel and her husband Chip of Millersville, MD and Michele Nwuli of Severna Park, and 2 sons William "Bill" Eckart and his wife Maria, of Millersville, MD and Michael Eckart and his wife Michelle of Cranberry Township, PA. He is also survived by his sister Shirley Keefer of Severna Park. He was the best "Pop Pop" to his 9 grandchildren, Brooks, Ally, Carter, Kendall, Chloe, Zachary, Eldrick, Sydney and Caleb.

Friends may visit at the Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-7pm and Monday from 5-8pm. Funeral Services will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church on Tuesday at 10am. Interment will follow in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to John Hopkins Hospital for Lung Cancer Research, c/o Dr. Julie Brahmer, 401 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com