John Kenton Ek |
| Posted 2009-07-31 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ April 22, 2009, p. A17 John Kenton Ek, Lt. Colonel, USAF, Retired, passed away on April 17 in Wickenburg, Ariz., with his family by his side. Ken was born on July 24, 1938 in Derry, N.H., to Harold and Bernyce Ek. He attended Pinkerton Academy and University of New Hampshire where he joined the Air Force ROTC. He began his active duty in January 1959 by entering the Aviation Cadet program in Harlingen, Texas. He was commissioned in December of that year with the aeronautical rating of Navigator. He flew the KC-97 for the next six years and became an instructor until entering pilot training in 1965. He spent his remaining time in the Air Force as a fighter pilot flying the F-4 Phantom II. During Ken’s 22 years of service in the Air Force, he served as an instructor navigator, instructor pilot, squadron operations officer and squadron commander. Ken loved his life as a fighter pilot and cherished all the friendships made during his service. Ken retired from the Air Force in 1980 at the rank of Lt. Colonel, where he last served at Luke AFB in Phoenix, Ariz. After his retirement from the Air Force, Ken and Betty moved to California where Ken worked for Northrop on the B-2 Stealth Bomber program for 10 years as a chief test conductor. Betty and Ken had a passion for the Arizona desert and retired to Wickenburg in 1992. After retiring, Ken and Betty loved spending time at the Grand Canyon. He loved hunting, fishing, hiking and kayaking and during his adventures loved taking pictures. For the past several years, Ken and a friend assisted with taking care of a homeless veteran. Ken is survived by his wife of 49 years Betty. He left behind his loving children, son and daughter-in-law Kent and Carla Ek of Austin, Texas ; daughter and son-in-law Pam and Steve Webster of St. Louis, Mo., and son and daughter-in-law Randy and Cindy Ek of Glendale, Ariz. Ken is also survived by his four grandchildren who he adored, Kayla and Courtney Ek of Glendale, Ariz., and Monica and Will Ek of Austin. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brad and Nancy Ek of Derry, N.H.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sue and Jim Arledge of DeKalb, Texas; and three nieces, three nephews and several cousins. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, April 24 at First Presbyterian Church in Wickenburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society by supporting the Glendale, Ariz., Relay For Life - Team Ken, which is led by Ken’s granddaughter Kayla Ek. Donations can be made online at www.relayforlife.org/glendaleaz, click on “donate” and search for Team Ken. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory. |
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