Howard Lee Ecton

Howard Lee Ecton, 97, of Salina, Kansas, passed away from complications of dysphagia, on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, at Salina Regional Health Center.

Howard was born in Coyville, Kansas on March 16, 1927, to Carl and Blanche (Fishburn) Ecton. His parents were farmers, and he spent his childhood alongside his three brothers, Charles, Dean, and Leonard. He graduated from 8th grade in Chautauqua County and often told stories about all the children going to one schoolhouse together and sharing one teacher.

At the age of 18, Howard was selected in the draft for World War II and served as a military police officer who guarded the German prisoners from 1945-1946. After arriving back in the U.S., he married Dorothy Mae Brown in January 1949. They were married almost 67 years until her death in 2015. Howard and Dorothy raised three children in Salina: Alan Ecton, Connie Reeve, and Steve Ecton. Howard worked as a shipping clerk, enjoyed taking his children camping and traveling, and was one of the founders of Salina’s flea market that occurred in the parking lot of Gibson’s on Broadway Avenue during the 1980’s. He enjoyed finding bargains and reselling them for a profit and refinishing furniture.

Upon retirement, Howard and Dorothy sold their home and bought a 5th wheel to travel the countryside. Their travels led them to 47 states in total, plus Canada and Mexico, and they enjoyed many potlucks and card games with friends including rummy and hand and foot. They deeply enjoyed their six grandchildren and their spouses, who all survive: Layla Peppers (Lyn) of Salina, Stephanie Hernandez Estanislado of Mission, Texas, Jennifer Mead (Doug) of Kansas City, Missouri, Aimee Ecton of Edinburg, Texas, Julie Ecton of Salina, and Lana Bustamante (Phillip) of Garden City. Howard and Dorothy were also blessed with 21 great-grandchildren: Alice Bustamante, Amelia Bustamante, James Bustamante, Miri Bustamante, Jonathan Ecton-Rodriguez, Abigal Hernandez, James Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, Madalyn Hernandez, Nathaniel Hernandez, Victoria Hernandez, Katie Mead, Kylie Mead, Alyssa Peppers, Lexy (Tyler) Apel, Logan (Alex) Peppers, Jesse Rodriguez, Samantha Rodriguez, Aaron Zambrano, Steven Zambrano (Chelsea), Trenidad Zambrano; and a great-great grandsons, Ezrah Zambrano and Harrison Ecton Rodriguez Edinburg.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his children, his brothers, and a baby sister. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, friend Pat Hoskins, neighbors, relatives, and volunteers at Meals on Wheels provided Howard with friendship over the years as he lived on his own until January 2024. He was a kind man with a heart of gold who enjoyed his visitors. He spent his last few months as a resident at Pinnacle Park, still working hard and engaging in physical therapy nearly every day to stay strong. He enjoyed the staff there.

Howard's family will be celebrating his life at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 21st at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Solomon, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Meals on Wheels, who brought Howard his meals for the past several years, which can be sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina.