James Richard Ekstrom, age 94, passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce, daughters Trudy Mestemacher (John) and Debbie Peterson (Randy), and his grandchildren: Melody Mestemacher (Matthew), Tiffany Roberts (Steve), Michelle Kraus, Noelle Kraus, Mikael Peterson (Erika), Jonathan Peterson and great grandchildren: Jackson, Grace and Eva Mestemacher, Paige, Paityn, Paxtyn and Faith Roberts, and Ada Peterson.
James was born on Oct. 19, 1925 in Duluth, MN to Swedish parents Hans Birger Ekstrom and Hilda Sophia Nilson. He graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth where he was Captain of his tumbling team. After graduating, he joined the Army Air Corps for pilot training. World War II ended the day of Jim’s first scheduled solo flight.
James and Joyce were married on June 19, 1948 at a candlelight service at Zion Lutheran in their hometown of Duluth. They would have been married for 72 years this June. James became an independent building contractor and built over 30 homes in Duluth for the veterans. Their two daughters, Trudy and Debbie arrived in their lives and then Jim built the Airliner Motel and managed it from 1958-’63.Soon after he and Joyce moved to San Jose, CA where Jim was a security guard for Kaiser Permanente, and a mortician’s assistant. He loved to follow the stock market and had a passion for inventing machines to fuel world energy from the power of the ocean, wind and rain.
James was a loving Christian husband and father who was deeply involved in Faith Lutheran Church in Los Gatos, CA and enjoyed singing in the church choir there. His family and friends will always remember him as a loving, humble, and kind person.
A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday Mar. 3 at 10:00am at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, NV with a reception to follow. The Reverend Phillip Shuart, will officiate. There will also be an honors ceremony to commemorate his years in service. A visitation on Monday, Mar. 2 will be held at Palm Mortuary on Cheyenne from 4-7pm, and the internment will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 10:40 at the Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
The following website is available to send messages, flowers or photos:www.Palmcheyenne.com
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