Gerald "Cowboy" Ekenstam

Gerald “Cowboy” Ekenstam, born June 4, 1927 entered into rest at the age of 91 on March 26, 2019. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Andrew Thomas Ekenstam and Lovernia (Hawks) Ekenstam and is survived by his older brother, Leonard Ekenstam. Cowboy always had a love for animals and the outdoors. Growing up, Cowboy followed in the footsteps of Dick Truitt, a Rodeo Hall of Fame Cowboy. He became a Rodeo Cowboy himself and rode bareback broncs and bulls. He also did some team roping. At age 16 he volunteered in the US Navy and served in 2 wars, WW2 and Korean War. He spent his early years in Utah and Washington where he married his first wife Lucille and they had their daughter Linda. In 1955 he married his second wife Joan and they had a daughter Patricia. He became father to his step daughter Lorrie and worked on ranches in California and Utah. In 1970, he moved to Hawaii with 3rd wife Glenna where he worked as an iron worker helping to build the Sheraton Waikiki and the Turtle Bay Resort. Upon his return to California he met and married his 4th wife Sharon and they moved to Oregon with Sharon’s 2 young daughters Teresa and Jolene. In 2006 he went to live with his step daughter Lorrie and her family in Hawaii and Texas. In his later years he enjoyed spending time at the cattle ranch where Lorrie and her husband Patrick lived. He also looked forward to watching Lorrie and her grand daughter compete in stock horse shows. His love for rodeo continued into his golden years, especially bull riding. One of the last things he did was to attend the American Rodeo in Arlington Texas just 2 weeks before his passing.

He was also proud of being a Mason and Shriner. He enjoyed helping children with disabilities get the care they needed provided by the Shriner’s Hospital.

Jerry loved his country, friends and family. He lived his life true to the Cowboy Way.