1925 ~ 2003
Howard Lorenzo Eckersley passed away peacefully on Monday, November 10, 2003 surrounded by loved ones.
He was born to "Ren" and Ellen Shelton Eckersley on February 15th, 1925. In his youth he was a member in good standing of the Blair Street Bobcats. He loved music and worked at the Rainbow Rendezvous. He attended the Universities of Utah, Washington, UCLA, and BYU. He worked for Naval Intelligence in World War II, serving in the Pacific. He served a mission to New Zealand and had a lifelong love of the Maori people. He was an aide to Howard Hughes for 20 years and worked in the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Las Vegas, Ecuador, England, and was in Nicaragua during the great earthquake. He was one of the founders of Aero Spacelines, which built the largest diameter airplane in the world to help the space effort. He formed several mining companies.
He loved The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served several stake missions, was an early morning seminary teacher, and served in the Jordan River Temple. He loved basketball and played daily with the "Nooners" at the Deseret Gym. He played tennis when he traveled and his serve was clocked at 140 mph. He was creative and he loved learning, but most of all he loved people. He was a friend to everyone he knew.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Connie, their seven children: Stan (Barbara) Eckersley, Raani (Mark) Erekson, Kathy Wallin, Marilyn (Mike) Goodrich, Judy (Hughes) Martin, Jean Eckersley, and John (Lisa) Eckersley. He had 35 grandchildren (each his favorite), and eight great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 7-9 p.m., at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14th at Willow Creek 3rd Ward, 2400 E. Alta Canyon Drive (8600 So.), with a viewing one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment Lehi City Cemetery.