John Eikamp
March 3, 1983 ~ February 18, 2019
John Curtis Eikamp, 35, of Scottsdale, AZ and formerly of Gettysburg, SD, passed away Monday, February 18, 2019, at his home in Scottsdale.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, Rev. Jeff Adel presiding. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 1, 2019, at the church, with visitation two-hours prior.
John Curtis Eikamp was born March 3, 1983 to Barry and Pam (Lake) Eikamp in Gettysburg, SD. John grew up and attended school in Gettysburg; graduating from Gettysburg High School in 2001. He then attended South Dakota school of Mines and Technology in Rapid City for one year. His love of music then took him to MTSU Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he completed his Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications Electronic Media Production with minors in Speech and Theater Entertainment Design in 2005
While at school in MTSU, John along with friend, Nathan Jeffries, produced, hosted and edited a music video show called #Distortion TV which aired on MTSU’s tv channel MTTV. John got many major label acts to appear on the show and helped break new rock acts of the day.
From 2005 to 2008 John lived in Nashville, TN, working as a freelance camera operator. While living in Nashville, he worked the 41st CMA Awards Show, CMA Festival, Martina McBride 2007 Tour, an Alan Jackson concert, and a Tracy Byrd concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2008 John moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where he worked at the Washington Pavilion in maintenance and as a stage hand and projectionist. He was also a camera operator for all football and basketball games at SDSU from 2008-2012, SD High School Football Championships 2008, 2010 and 2012, and for Midco Sports Network college football and basketball games in Sioux Falls. He worked as a local union stagehand for many big concerts and events such as Alice in Chains, Five Finger Death Punch, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flats and many more. He also worked at the Sioux Falls Arena changing over hockey, basketball and football floors for sporting events.
In 2012 John moved to Tempe, AZ and then to Scottsdale in 2017, where he resided at the time of his death. While in Arizona, John worked as a freelance Corporate Labor and Operator, Utility/Video Tech for many companies which took him all over the United States. He also worked as a Utility/Video Tech for NFL Network for Thursday night football, 2015 NFL Pro Bowl Draft, Super Bowl Media Day and Super Bowl XLIX New England Patriots vs Seattle Sea Hawks.
Through ESPN Sports and Fox Sports Network, John ran lower first, third base and center field camera for Major League Baseball spring 2013-2018. He had 20 games already scheduled for 2019.
John’s career gave him the chance to really enjoy his love of music, concerts, and bands. He was able to meet and work with many famous people. John was a self-taught bass guitar player, and while he was in high school he participated in band all four years playing bass guitar and the baritone.
John loved to golf and was an avid Denver Bronco’s fan. Just last May John surprised his mom for her birthday with tickets, and he took her and Barry to a Bronco’s game in Phoenix in October.
We always joked the snow bird or summer bird has come home the past five summers to cooler weather. John enjoyed summers at home working with his dad installing satellite dishes and helping his mother with gardening, watering flowers and keeping a close watch on the sweet corn patch.
Movies can have a profound effect on the world. John’s favorite movie was “A Beautiful Mind”. The movie sheds light on mental illness, a particularly misunderstood and widely stigmatized illness. Because mental illnesses are a problem everywhere and finding a way to talk about this is very difficult. These families often suffer in silence. No matter what you go through, it’s really how you deal with it that can be very sad and depressing or uplifting, motivating, and even empowering. We all have a choice in how we deal with things that happen to us. These past 11 years John’s choice was to live life to its fullest. Even though John struggled with mental illness (bipolar) these past 11 years, he was very love-able and capable of giving love and kindness to all the people he met and lives he touched.
Something that John wrote shortly before his death, “When you have nothing, the only currency you have is kindness; and kindness is more valuable than money.”
John is survived by his parents, Barry and Pam Eikamp of Gettysburg; sisters, Jackie (Jim) Hulscher of Doland and Jennie (Brady) Gross of Iroquois; nieces and nephews: Lainey, Grace and Paige Hulscher and Oscar, Quinn and Kori Gross; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was proceeded in death by his grandparents: Boyd and Lillian Lake and Maynard and Leona Eikamp.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with John’s arrangements.
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Barry,Pam,&Families: May the Lords blessing give you strength to get through these trying days. Many Many thoughts and prayers for you all today and the future. God Bless!!
Eikamp family, I’m very sorry to hear of John’s passing. Please know your in my thoughts and prayers.
Shawna and John were classmates and graduated together. I can not imagine the pain you are going through. My heart goes out to your family and you will be in my prayers.
Our deepest condolences on your devastating loss. May it comfort you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so very saddened and shocked to hear about John. I first met him almost 20 years ago when we were in high school (seems like just yesterday and forever ago at the same time). Barry, Pam & family, I am so sorry for your loss. There is so little one can say, but my heart goes out to you.
I am so very sorry about John’s passing. You are in my prayers. May God be a great comfort in this difficult time.
John, a great friend, and will be missed, dearly. I’m at a loss for words. I very much enjoyed working the Spring Training games with John in AZ as well as around the valley on different shows. To the Eikamp family, I send my condolences, John always spoke highly of you when the subject came up, he will surely be missed within our AV community.
To John’s family I have no words to express my sorrow at your loss. He was a valued coworker and friend He will be missed greatly
You were a great guy to work with. Anytime I saw you on a show with me, I knew it would be a good day. I will miss talking to you, and your sense of humor. You were very respected by everyone in our crew. I still feel like I will meet up with you any day now on a gig. I hate the thought that I won’t be able to hang around with you again. You will be greatly missed John.
I had the pleasure of working with John for the last few years. We would crack each other up. He had a great sense of humor. I will miss him.
John!!! I still can not believe you are not with us anymore. I will always remember you for the good vibes you gave off, lending a helping hand, and wanting others to do good as well. I’m thankful to be apart of your work and social life. Although you are not here with us, you will be in our memory. RIP my brother!
My condolences to John’s family and friends. He was a sweet man and a pleasure to work with. He will be missed greatly.
Barry Pam and family, my deepest condolences, rest assured John was loved by us all here in Phoenix. John, what a shock to know you are gone my friend! I knew we freelancers here in Phoenix were tight but only in your departure have we learned just how bonded we are. It was always a joy walking into a gig to find that you and I would be side by side as cameras one and two! Camera one go wide and get the shot of us all in our grief, nice shot buddy, take camera one. Fade to black…
Pam and Barry ❤️ We are sending our love and praying for you. I love seeing all the loving memories you are sharing. God Bless ❤️😘
Pam and Barry, Please know when everyone leaves a few of us stay. Praying for you, Fran Vb
Pam, Barry, and girls. Thinking of you and yours during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy. Hugs
You will be truly missed by all we will always love you but never forget you
Eikamp family, extended family and friends – My deepest condolences for your loss. Barry, I always enjoyed seeing you and Pam on your next adventure with John through Facebook. I pray that your good memories overcome your sorrow, as well as God’s comfort and peace.
I always saw John as just, so cool, when we were kids playing in the neighborhood. I remember most fondly when we played video games in Pam and Barry’s house. 007 and Mario Kart were the best. I loved watching the others play and rooting for whomever Darren or Jackie was chasing after they inevitably became the bob-omb car. Pam, Barry, Jackie, Jennie, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll keep all of your families in my heart.
John was a hard working, good humored gentleman. I only knew him through work, but even with the limited time I knew him, I could see he was brought up by caring parents, and raised to be a stand up guy. He will definitely be missed.
My condolences to all the family and friends. May he rest in peace.
My Heart is sad. Worked with John in SF at the Arena with the IATSE local #220. We had a nickname for John (Two Socks) The story goes I believe the union was installing ice at the Arena and he always wore canvas top shoes with shorty socks and his feet were cold working on the Ice and someone told him to put on a second pair of socks. From that day forward the nickname “Two Socks” stuck. John was always a can do kind of guy, Eager to work, always went the extra mile. He would always call when he came back to SD for the summer for some xtra work with the union. For those of us that worked with him over the years it was always a good time hearing about his travels and valued his experience. He will be greatly missed within the local union as well as anyone that had the pleasure of working with John. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends that were close to him.
So sorry for your loss, your angel is watching over you, prayers for you all
I lost my phone at a Marilyn Manson show in Sioux Falls and i got a message a couple days later from John “two socks” saying that he had found it and wanted to return it. I met him at another show he was working at a bar downtown and got my phone back and he gave me one of twiggy ramirez’s guitar picks. I also gained a friend. John was so much fun to be around, his passion for music and his work was awesome. We only hung out a handful of times but I’ll never forget him. He was genuine, a good egg, The world is better for having had him in it and it’s a bummer his time was cut short. Rest easy two socks. 🤘
The last few years I have worked many Camera and Video gigs for 12-15 hr days on end with Jon. Those type of hours tend to bring the crews closer together. Jon was always in the mix of it. Many memories all fun times. He always had an funny angle on things beyond his camera. He will be truly missed. Shine the light now give us some stage wash.
Dear Pam and family: I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear son. God sees every tear, hears all our prayers and love us more than we can imagine. He has a plan. We do not know what it is. It is so hard in times like this. We will see our loved ones again, when we God calls us to our eternal home. It is hard to remain strong and keep the faith. Sending out hugs and prayers and thoughts across the miles. Much love, Donna
To John’s family and friends what a tragedy to lose him at such a young age. He accomplished so much and lived his life to the full! During this difficult time I hope your memeories of your time together can start to bring you some peace as well as the promise at John 5:28,29 that says there will be a "resurrection of life." My deepest sympathy.
Pam, Barry and family. I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing, my mom let me know about when he was born and always let me know when something new was happening when I was in the Navy and even after. John and I have the same favorite movie, I have purchased three copies of it since two I loaned out and never got back. Twenty years ago I was diagnosed with CPTSD after having suffered a complete nervous breakdown I understand his struggles through life as it is a moment by moment struggle not day by day. May you find comfort in knowing he did his best and gave life 100% of himself since those who struggle always do. Also may God wrap his loving arms around you during this very difficult time and also through the many memories you have with your son. My thoughts and prayers will be with you always as you continue life without an important piece of it. Rose (Parsons) Pratt and family.
You were taken too soon my friend. Will miss you in the trenches of the AV world. Spoken highly of, you were always willing to help others and share a story and a laugh. You are missed.