Mike was born on October 2, 1939 in Boulder, Colorado, to Frank E. Eckel and Margaret O. (Claus) Eckel. He grew up on a farm north of Mead, Colorado, and graduated from Mead High School in 1957. Mike was proud to be a member of the Mead High School varsity basketball team that won the state high school basketball championship that year.
Mike continued his education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and soon found his niche to be in real estate sales. Over the following years, Mike’s career in real estate sales took him to many parts of the United States and to the beaches of the Bahamas. Mike became acquainted with his dear friend, Jack Christie and Jack’s wife, Gail, early in his career. Mike worked with Jack on numerous development projects on the east coast and they finally ended up together in Las Vegas, Nevada, working on the Lake Las Vegas development and Trump Towers on the Las Vegas Strip.
When Mike retired from real estate, he left Las Vegas and returned to Florida where he teamed up with another dear friend, Lee Day, to travel and enjoy retirement. He always loved the sights, sounds and smell of the ocean and thought there was nothing like the sight of the sun disappearing on the ocean horizon. After spending a few years in Florida, Mike moved home to Colorado and settled in Loveland last year to be closer to family.
Mike had a passion for fine automobiles. Over the years, when the real estate market was thriving, you could find parked in his garage a DeLorean, Ferrari or Lamborghini. If you ever had the privilege to be a passenger in Mike’s “ride”, you know he always took great pride in keeping his auto in immaculate condition.
Mike was well-known for his contagious smile and compassion for others. You were always a welcome guest in his home and treated like royalty. His generosity in helping friends and family will always be remembered.
Mike is survived by his sister Pat, of Longmont, his uncle Clayton Claus (Maxine) of Douglas, Wyoming; cousins Bill Allord of Eugene, Oregon, William (Lindy) Claus of Westminster, Cheryl (Jerry) Barcelona of Berthoud, David (Francie) Claus of Douglas, Wyoming and Sandra (Bill) Hopson of Gillette, Wyoming.
A cremation has been entrusted to the Howe Mortuary and Crematory.
Donations may be made to the Longmont Humane Society at 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501, in memory of Mike Eckel.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18