Gary R. Ekker was born April 3, 1935 in Loa, Utah. He was the oldest of eight children born to Riter and Elora Maxfield Ekker. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on February 7, 2021, at the age of 85.
Gary married the love of his life, Maedell Hunt, on December 12, 1952 in Loa, Utah. They raised three beautiful children whom they were very proud of. Gary was a jack of all trades and could “tinker” with anything to get it to work. He did just about every job you can think of. He herded cattle in the canyons that are now Lake Powell, which is when he taught himself to yodel to keep himself entertained. He mined uranium in southern Utah as well as drove uranium ore trucks in southern Utah and Colorado. He reopened gold mines in Essex, California and Jefferson City, Montana and made his way to Los Angeles, California selling tires. He was instrumental in reopening mines and building a mill at Shitaring Creek Canyon and the town of Ticaboo.
He later made his way back to Green River, Utah where he farmed at Willow Bend Ranch and built his dream of having cattle and a feedlot. He also owned and operated 4 E’s Drilling and Exploration Corporation. He later developed more of Willow Bend to raise hay and famous Green River watermelons.
Gary was a true, hardworking cowboy that worked morning to night and taught his family the value of hard work and the importance of family. He loved being the center of attention. He had a contagious personality and loved to make others laugh. He enjoyed sharing his auctioneering talent at sales and church auctions. He had a great memory and shared many stories of growing up in southern Utah and working the land. As he got older, he loved to sing to his great-grandchildren, yodel and tell jokes (even if inappropriate) to make them laugh. His family was his true joy.
He is survived by his wife Maedell; children, Della Ekker of Green River, UT, Craig (Cindy) Ekker of Round Mountain, NV and Kyle (RuthAnn) Ekker of Huntington, UT; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Riter and Elora Ekker; and his in-laws, Elias and Eva Hunt.
Funeral service, Thursday, February 11, 2021, 6:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home in Price, Utah. Family will receive friends beginning at 4:30 p.m. Graveside service, Friday, February 12, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Elgin Cemetery in Green River, Utah.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Gary online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.