Obituary of James LeRoy Eichel

James LeRoy Eichel — tender and loving husband, father of three, grandfather of four, and friend to so many — passed away peacefully on August 6, 2024 at the age of 78 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

Jim was born July 8, 1946 to William and Helga Eichel in Viborg, South Dakota and grew up on his family’s farm in nearby Parker. After graduating from South Dakota State University with a BS in Civil Engineering, he proudly served his country as a Captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers and earned his MBA from Boston University while deployed. After being stationed in South Korea, he transferred to Germany and met the love of his life, Lauranne (Lori) Preece in Bad Kreuznach where she was visiting a friend. They were married in Pensacola, Florida and built a beautiful life together, first in Denver, Colorado and then in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Jim worked in commercial construction and project management before starting his own business, Accent Construction. Protecting the environment was always important to him, and he proudly earned certification as a green building company. In later years he became involved in another passion, providing access to stable, affordable housing for members of his community — including veterans and people who are homeless or at risk — through CASA and the Community Home Trust.

Jim was an active member of both Saint Thomas More Catholic Church and the Newman Catholic Student Center and his faith was a cornerstone of his life. He served his community in countless ways, including his work with Justice United, Meals on Wheels, and the Orange County Commission for the Environment and Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Jim always loved to be active — hiking with his family, kayaking with his wife, running marathons and playing bocce and golf with friends, coaching his daughters in rec basketball, teaching his grandchildren to fish. Nothing was more important to him than his family, and they felt his love and care every day in so many ways. 

Jim’s memory will be cherished by his wife of 50 years, Lori; his daughters Amanda Eichel, Annelise (Scott) Hardin, and Christina (Josh) Berkowitz; his grandchildren Will & Charlotte Hardin and Wyatt & Rhett Berkowitz; and his brother Bill. Jim is reunited in heaven with his parents, Bill and Helga, and his brothers, Gary and Tom.

A service will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 2:30pm at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill. The service will also be live streamed and recorded for future viewing and can be accessed here for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to:

UNC Hospice

Saint Thomas More Catholic Church

Newman Catholic Student Center

CASA

Community Home Trust

Meals on Wheels Orange County