Doyle Gereth Ekey, 88, Mesa, AZ, died in his sleep December 1, 2021.
Doyle was born November 27, 1933 near Codell, Rooks County, Kansas, to
Emery Stuart and Lura Eva (Overholser) Ekey. He graduated from Codell
High School in 1951 as Salutatorian of his class.
Doyle married Ruby Neal June 6, 1953, at Hays, Kansas, and they celebrated
their 68th anniversary this year. Doyle received his B.A. in 1955 from
Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas.
After college he taught a year and a half at Alton, Kansas High School
before entering the United States Army. He was a clerk typist at the
U.S. Army Transportation Corps, Ft. Eustis, VA and Pepperell Air Force
Base, St. Johns, Newfoundland, spending four months aboard the USS
Lindenwald as photographer for the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line
resupply mission.
When Doyle returned from service in the Army he taught school at
Phillipsburg, Kansas from 1959 to 1967. He received his M.S. from
Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri in 1972 and was
employed by the Kansas State Department of Education, Topeka, Kansas
until retiring in 1996. Doyle and Ruby were long time members of the
Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene in Topeka, Kansas.
After retirement Doyle and Ruby began researching their family histories
which took them to many states. Doyle is survived by his wife Ruby; and
two daughters; Sondra Ekey (Jim Moeder), Topeka, Kansas; Cynthia
Helblig, Tempe, Arizona and two grandchildren, Allison (Jon) Baugues and
Drew Helblig and two great grandchildren Evan and Gwen who called him
Papa. Also, survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in
death by his parents, his brother Denzell B. Ekey and an infant brother.
Doyle’s memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 16,
2021, at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 Juniper Avenue, Gilbert, Arizona.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (heart.org). Burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix.