Obituary of Doyle Gereth Ekey

Doyle Gereth Ekey, 88, Mesa, AZ, died in his sleep December 1, 2021. Doyle was born November 27, 1933 near Codell, Rooks County, Kansas to Emery Stuart and Lura Eva (Overholser) Ekey. He graduated from Codell High School in 1951 as Salutatorian of his class. Doyle married Ruby Neal June 6, 1953 at Hays, Kansas and they celebrated their 68th anniversary this year. Doyle received his B.A. in 1955 from Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. After college he taught a year and a half at Alton, Kansas High School before entering the United States Army. He was a clerk typist at the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, Ft. Eustis, VA and Pepperell Air Force Base, St. Johns, Newfoundland, spending four months aboard the USS Lindenwald as photographer for the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line resupply mission. When Doyle returned from service in the Army he taught school at Phillipsburg, Kansas from 1959 to 1967. He received his M.S. from Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri in 1972 and was employed by the Kansas State Department of Education, Topeka, Kansas until retiring in 1996. Doyle and Ruby were long time members of the Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene in Topeka, Kansas. After retirement Doyle and Ruby began researching their family histories which took them to many states. Doyle is survived by his wife Ruby; and two daughters; Sondra Ekey (Jim Moeder), Topeka, Kansas; Cynthia Helblig, Tempe, Arizona and two grandchildren, Allison (Jon) Baugues and Drew Helblig and two great grandchildren Evan and Gwen who called him Papa. Also, survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Denzell B. Ekey and an infant brother. Doyle"s memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 Juniper Avenue, Gilbert, Arizona. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (heart.org). Burial at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix.