Robert Leslie McEachern born on November 18, 1948 in Montgomery Alabama. The family moved multiple times until his father retired from the Air Force and settled in Vaiden, Mississippi. Robert and his brother Kenneth Wayne are still maintaining the family farm that has been in the family for more than 100 years. He loved hunting on that land and bringing his children and grandchildren to enjoy the solitude that his homeplace provides.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 56 years, Linda Blaylock McEachern; daughters Leslie McEachern Pearman, Jennifer McEachern Roberts (Ryan Methvin), and brother Kenneth Wayne McEachern. He was admired and revered by his four grandchildren who he equally adored and always left them with a “Be good for a change.” Auburn “Tee” Pearman, Aston McEachern “Mac” Pearman, Hattie Pearman and Cameron “Cam” Roberts. Nieces and nephews who all admired his tenacity to various degrees, Leigh Knighton, Lisa Norman, Gerald Garrett, Mandy Saber, Brenda Rigby, Gail Johnson, John Avent, Sandra Watkins, Travis Evans, Michael Pyron, Vanessa Waldo, Karen Temple, Kena Wells, and Keith Ware . Several cousins whom he loved as if they were siblings, Malcolm McEachern (Bonnie), Dennis McEachern (Michelle), Doug Ochranek (Susan), Michael Ochranek (Peggy), Rick Ochranek (Grace), Regina McEachern Broom (William), Jackie McEachern Manley, Quay Columbio, Robert Stewart and Steve Poe (Lisa).
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Franklin McEachern and Maureen Ellenburg, brother Martin Boyd McEachern, and sisters Barbara McEachern Garrett, Deborah McEachern Mills, cousin, KIA in Vietnam Lynn Crowder and best friend Bobby Oliver.
“The American’s Creed” is what he lived by and how he raised his children. To many he was “10 feet tall and bulletproof.” He greatly loved his fellow Veterans and attended weekly sessions of mischief with fellow retirees and chosen brothers.
His military career began in 1969 after a semester of fun at Mississippi State University. His service spanned for 4 decades, of which he was awarded multiple Air Medals, the Bronze Star with Valor and Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service with 2 stars, Armed Forces Reserve, Army Service, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training, Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Mississippi National Guard Commendation, Mississippi National Guard War Medal, Mississippi National Guard Emergency Services, Mississippi National Guard Longevity with Oak Leaf Cluster and Army Expert Marksmanship pistol award.
He loved hunting, reading and hanging out with his Carroll County friends for their Thursday night suppers. He was mostly an introvert, avoiding crowds and loud noises unless it involved an airport. He was an experienced pilot with more than 15,000 flight hours and was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award in 2018. He flew crop dusters in the mid 70’s and after retiring from the military, he flew for a fractional ownership company flying Citation X’s which his grandchildren called “tarnations.” Once fully retired he became a full time Daddy Mac chasing his grandchildren, riding motorcycles and buying “farm equipment,” much to the displeasure of his wife.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to service time. Burial will be private. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve the family.
Pallbearers are Tee Pearman, Mac Pearman, Cam Roberts, Robbie Welch, Sandy Evans, T.J Evans and his two bonus children, Walter Oliver and Ruth Marie Oliver.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Tupelo/ Lee Humane Society, Tunnels to Towers, and Folds of Honor or a Veterans organization of your choice.
Condolences for the family may be posted on Mac’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
MAC’S MILITARY HISTORY
• Joined the Army in July, 1967. Sent to Ft Polk, LA for basic training.
• In Ft. Wolters, TX, received primary flight training. Preflight training, which was Warrant Officer Basic Course, from November and December 1967. After Christmas leave, flight training began in Jan. 1968.
• Completed primary training in April; went to Ft Rucker, AL for advanced flight training. Graduated Aug. 27, 1968.
• After leave, sent to RVN and assigned to 189th AHC, 52nd CAB, 17th AVN BDE.
• From 1970-1971 assigned to D Troop, 6/1st Armored Cav, Ft Hood, TX.
• In July 1970 sent to Ft. Rucker, AL for flight instructor course enroute to RVN.
• Assigned to A Troop, then HHC Troop, 3/17th Air Cav, 17th AVN BDE.
• Discharged from Army Aug. 27, 1971.
• Joined Mississippi Army National Guard Feb. 1972, 631st Field Artillery, Grenada, MS.
• Reassigned to A Co, 185th Avn, Jackson, MS 1977.
• Crop-dusted from 1972 to 1984. Flew for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. 1984.
• Was hired as full time flight instructor/Safety Officer in Tupelo in Mar. 1985 and transferred to B Co 185th Avn Bn.
• Qualified as Instrument Flight Examiner in Nov. 1993.
• Retired from the ARNG Mar. 2000.
• Flew for Raytheon Travel Air and Flight Options from Mar. 2000 through Oct. 2009. Retired.
