Eric L. Puckett of Hillsville, Va., formerly of Mechanicsburg, Pa., died on Saturday, July 11, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center of injuries suffered in a riding mower accident. Puckett was born on July 29, 1933, in Carroll County, Va., the only child of the late Vestal and Elsie (Farris) Puckett. He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Carol Patterson of Elizabeth, N.J. He was a 1950 graduate of Hillsville High School. Many years later, when he was a father and working adult, he earned a bachelor's degree of liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1968 and a master's degree of administration from George Washington University in 1970. Following service in the U.S. Army, he worked as a machine designer at Newport News Shipyard from 1955 until 1970. In 1970, he started work for the U.S. Navy at the Naval Ship Engineering Center, Mechanicsburg Division, as a civilian mechanical engineer. He retired in 1991 as director of the Engineering Department. After retirement, Puckett was sole proprietor of First Quality Services of Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he provided quality assurance system auditing and consulting services to clients in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Puckett was a self-made man who impacted a lot of lives. He was a longtime volunteer at Pennsylvania Literacy Council, where he taught a Bethlehem Steel Co. steelworker in his 50s to read. He was honored for his work by Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey. He was a member of the Catholic Church of Holy Angels in Mt. Airy, N.C., and was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus. Puckett was known for his kindness, his intellectual curiosity, his wry humor, and his love of country and family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Agnes (Bard) Puckett, their "dogter" Bobbi, a Jack Russell terrier, and three children: Colleen Puckett and husband Jacob Cohen of Philadelphia, Pa.; Jeffery Puckett and wife Sharon of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and David Puckett and wife Sonya of Nacogdoches, Texas. In addition, he has five stepchildren: Sharon Puckett and husband Jeffery of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Charles Bard of Liverpool, Pa.; Gary Bard and wife Julia of Bristol, Pa.; Eric Bard and wife Phachaya of Camp Hill, Pa.; and Adam Bard and wife Kim of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, at the Monsignor Duncan Center, 1208 North Main St., Mt. Airy, N.C., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at Catholic Church of the Holy Angels. Burial will follow in the Pilot View Cemetery in Carroll County, Va. Family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund of the Catholic Church of the Holy Angels. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel of Hillsville, Va., is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com. Pallbearers: Grandsons Ryan Harris, Max and Aaron Cohen; and Thomas Goad, Stephen Goad and Patrick Goad. Honorary Pallbearers: Golf buddies Doug Curtis, Gene Fowler, Les Puckett, Raleigh Puckett and Dennis Roberts.