Elmer Ekins

   Elmer Holdaway Ekins, age 89, of Lapoint, was a man who “never had a bad day!” He was blessed with an eternal, optimistic attitude.  He joined his parents, siblings, wives, and friends early in the morning, March 4, 2017.
    He was born on September 28,1927 in Provo, Utah. His mother, Virgie Myrel Phillips died of childbirth complications when he was just three years old. His baby sister, Virgie LaNyle died when he was eight. His father, Reed Rudolph Ekins died when he was sixteen, and his best friend and sister, Colleen, died when he was eighteen.
    Elmer married Carol Werner May 21,1946. They were blessed with three children; Ronald Werner, Terrie Colleen, and Kathie. They were divorced in 1957.
    He married Patsy Montana Stilson on May 1,1959, they had a daughter, Roxy Lynn, who was later adopted by her stepfather.  
    His last daughter, Shelly Kay was born to Glenna Mower in 1964. They were later divorced.  
    Dorothy Jean Paulson married Elmer February 1968, she passed away June 14, 1998.  
    He then married Irene Morrill on November 10, 1998. She passed away September 28, 2002.
    Dad always managed to roll with the punches, with five brothers, and six sisters, he had plenty of practice.  His family owned land in Provo Utah, which was later sold to BYU. Dad learned the art of farming, and caring for fruit trees. He learned to work hard on the family farm. He quit going to Lincoln High School in the tenth grade to work for his uncle Ray. He started working for Geneva Steel shortly after he became a father, and worked there until he retired in 1978. He was drafted in the army in 1951, and was stationed in Germany, until his son cut his fingers on a saw, and the Red Cross brought him home.
    After retiring, he and Dorothy moved to the home dad had been building on their 200 acres in Lapoint.  Dad was an economical junkie. He used whatever he could find to accomplish a task. He loved to go camping, fishing, hunting, watching sports and old cowboy movies. In his early married years, he spent time with his siblings playing cards and ping pong.
    He loved his siblings and stayed close his entire life. He had many lifelong friends, and neighbors, who were family to him. He was generous serving those friends, and received their love and service in return.
    Dad was never a religious man. After burying two wives, and having a faithful, diligent home teacher, who never gave up on him, or judged him, he began pondering his life. When his grandson moved in with him, he had someone to go to church with. At the age of eighty-one he gave up his beer to pay tithing. A year later his four children, grandchildren, and even a great-granddaughter accompanied him to the Provo temple to receive his Endowments.
    Dad was always shy (unless he had a beer), He would come to family gatherings early, and leave before everyone gathered. His last day on earth was no different. It was his son’s seventieth birthday; dad decided to leave before the guests arrived!
    He leaves his four children, twenty-nine grandchildren, seventy-one great grandchildren, and six great, great grandchildren to ponder on his “Never had a bad day” attitude, and to fully understand that you “Never give up on God, or your family”.
    He was preceded in death, by all of his siblings: Mildred James in 1997, Mary Mecham in 2005, James Emery in 1996, Reed Rudolph Jr. in 2008, Shirley in 2014, Minnie Burrows in 2008, Ellen Maurine Brailsford in 1993, Colleen in 1946, Virgie LaNyle in 1936, Paul Edward in 1966, and Alton in 2012. Also a step-mother Lacy Edwards in 1954.
    Funeral services held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lapoint LDS Chapel.  A viewing will be held 1 hour prior to the service.    
    Burial in the Lapoint Cemetery.