Steve was an avid tennis player and active in leagues both in San Antonio and Houston. He enjoyed professional football, playing and watching poker and truly loved to play the guitar, sing and country and western dance. One of Steve’s most endearing qualities was his willingness to help others – family, friends and strangers – personally and professionally.
Steve was a 1980 graduate of Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, Texas where he was a member of the band and known for his light-hearted pranks, humor, intelligence and the kindness he showed others. He then graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1989 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Steve loved what he did, had a strong work ethic and continued to work even while in the hospital before he passed.
His career allowed him to work with wonderful clients and colleagues and he truly enjoyed finding creative solutions for public and private sector projects and training young engineers along the way. Steve worked for large regional and national firms and chose to end his career as a Senior Client Manager at Jones | Carter in Houston, where he had planned to stay until he retired.
He is preceded in death by his brother Randy Eklund, step-father Frank Benton and grandparents Lala and Rueben Dannheim, Ruth and Gill Eklund.
Survivors include his mother Jan Eklund, father Richard Eklund (Julie), children Dylan Eklund, Tisha Chita (Adam) and Tate Kaspar, brother Jeff Eklund (Audrey), sisters Kim Whittle (Steve) and Donella Reinl (Matthew) along with several nieces, nephews, aunt, uncle and cousins. Steve is also survived by Sara Gammill, his loving partner of 9 years, and her children Elizabeth James and Walker.
A memorial service for Steve will be held at 11:00am on Friday, October 9, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, Woodway Campus, 6400 Woodway in Houston, 77057, (713) 465-3408.
The service will also be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person. Please click on the link below this obituary, or go to:
The family asks that if you are so moved, please make a donation to MD Anderson Cancer Center on Steve’s behalf in lieu of flowers.
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