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James Edward Eker was born September 1, 1929 in Mooreland, OK to Lee Ernest and Lena Belle (Childers) Eker. He passed away Thursday June 19, 2008, at the age of 78 years. Jim graduated from Mooreland High School in 1947, and then attended Oklahoma University. On November 23, 1950 he was united in marriage to Carrie Ellabell Swigart in Mooreland, OK. To this union three sons were born, Dennis, Don, and Darrell. The family made their home in Oklahoma until they moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1986. Most of Jim's professional life was in sales. Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a youth leader in Oklahoma. He was also very involved in the Boy Scouts of America. In his youth he was a Boy Scout, and in 1959 he helped start a scout troop for handicapped children in Woodward, OK, the first such troop in northwest Oklahoma. He served the troop as Assistant Scoutmaster. He attended adult training at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and as his own sons progressed in scouting, was a Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Assistant District Commissioner for the Boiling Springs District in northwest Oklahoma. Jim was a Mason for 57 years, first belonging to the Mooreland Lodge No. 387. After moving to Albuquerque he became a member of the Hiram Lodge No. 13 on December 19, 1987. He was inducted into the Scottish Rite on May 5, 1991 and joined the Ballut Abyad Shrine Temple, Albuquerque, New Mexico on the same date. Jim really enjoyed working with kids and joined the Clown Unit of the Temple in September, 1991. He was an avid Oklahoma University football fan. Jim loved camping, fishing, and rock hunting. He also enjoyed traveling, golfing, and lapidary work. Jim made beautiful jewelry and did the faceting of the stones himself. His greatest joy of recent years was watching his grandchildren grow, attending their sports and theater events and just enjoying their company. Jim is survived by his wife, Ellabell; three children, Dennis and wife, Patricia, Don and wife, Stephanie, and Darrell and wife, Marsha, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Nicholas Eker, Courtney Eker, Bill Malone, Bob Malone, Josh Montano and Jessica Montano; great-gandchildren, Kai Montano and Payton Montano. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lena Eker; and his brother, Robert Eker. A Private Burial Service, with family present, was held at Sunset Memorial Park under the direction of French Mortuary with Pastor Rick Donaho officiating. A Memorial Service will be held July 10, 2008 at French Mortuary Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd NW at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Jim's name to your favorite charity. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
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