Benjamin Edward Ecklar Jr.'s Obituary
Benjamin Edward Ecklar Jr., 79, resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022. Ben was born on February 19, 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Benjamin Edward Ecklar Sr. and Frances (Fox) Ecklar.
Ben graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and received his CPA shortly after. He worked for the United States Government as an internal auditor for 30 years until his retirement in 1996.
Ben married the love of his life Melody Anne (Ballard) Ecklar on October 9, 1965, in San Diego, California. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage together, raising their six children. In 1977 they moved their family from Alpine, California to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ben learned at a young age the importance of family and as a father this became one of his greatest passions. Throughout the years, he orchestrated countless vacations/family reunions to give his children and grandchildren opportunities to get away and re-connect with family. These moments meant the world to him. One of his joys was to watch home movies surrounded by his family.
Some of Dad’s other passions were church, old cars and the history of the USS Arizona. On most Sunday’s, Dad could be found at church worshipping the Lord and discussing the Bible with his friends and loved ones. He enjoyed attending cars shows and reminiscing about his car memories of the past. Since his father was a Navy sailor on the USS Arizona, he loved reading and researching anything on this topic. Our dad had a gift of starting random conversations with strangers, most often these topics centered around his family, the bible, old cars, or his dad’s time onboard the USS Arizona. Most often these strangers became a friend.
Ben is survived by his wife Melody Ecklar of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; his children James Ecklar and wife Kristen of Branchville, South Carolina, daughter-in-law Nicole Ecklar (Eddie) of Euless Texas, Donna Hutson and husband Greg of Athens, Alabama, John Ecklar of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Justin Ecklar and wife Holly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sarah Anguino and husband RD of Wagoner, Oklahoma; his 16 grandchildren Elizabeth, Micaela and Will, Joshua, Benjamin IV, Anna, William, Avery, Elijah, Matthew, Emily, Ethan, Kaylee and Kurtis, Gabriel, Leah, Isabella, and Miguel; his 2 great-grandchildren John and Everest; as well as many extended family and friends.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents Benjamin Sr. and Frances, his son Benjamin (Eddie) Edward Ecklar III, and his Sister Barbara.
Visitation is scheduled from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 South 129th East Avenue, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012. Funeral Service will be held 12:30pm on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
***Services will be live streamed starting at 12:25 pm on Friday, March 4, 2022. To view the service live, please click on the following link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/69809
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