1937
John
2022
John Alvin Ekstrom
September 7, 1937 — November 7, 2022
John Alvin Ekstrom, born in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 7, 1937, departed this life on November 7, 2022, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
John started his education in a 3-room schoolhouse in Andover, NJ and later attended grade school in Newton, NJ. He moved with his family to a farm in Greene, NY in 1949 and graduated from Greene Central School in 1955. John attended Cornell University where he was a member of the Freshman 8 Oared Crew. He graduated from Broome Community College and worked for NYSEG until his retirement in 1994. At that time, he was the Manager of Control Systems, an organization responsible for developing and operating the computer-based systems controlling the Companies vast electric generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
John was a charter member and president of the Greene Jaycees and was awarded a JCI Senatorship. He was a member and past chairman of the Broome Community College Industrial Advisory Committee. He married Mary Lou Williams in 1959 and together they raised two sets of twins, Kevin & Kim, and Stuart & Brian.
John met his second wife, Arija and married her on Ground Hog Day Eve 1986. Together they enjoyed designing, building, and operating Big Easy Registered Hereford Ranch in Bedford, Virginia. John loved farming which was always a part of his life even while pursuing his career at NYSEG. They were members of the Virginia Hereford Association and traveled extensively, visiting all 50 of the United States. They enjoyed hosting and entertaining large groups of family and friends in their scenic mountain view farm. After they exhausted their second careers they moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 2013 and enjoyed their retirement with friends old and new.
Surviving is John’s wife of 36 years, Arija Ekstrom; four children, Kevin Ekstrom (Kimberly) of Greene, NY, Kim Ekstrom of Williamsport, PA, Stuart Ekstrom (Stacy) of Wake Forest, NC and Brian Ekstrom of Owego, NY, his stepchildren, Todd Hite (Kelly) of Rochester, MN and Tonya Jefferson (Mike) of Bedford, VA. Also surviving is his brother, George Ekstrom (Barbara) of Churchville, PA; grandchildren, Erika, Ryan, T.J., Justin, Dylan, Chase, Kendra, Aiden, and Noah and two great-grandchildren.
Preceding in death were his parents, Albert and Kathrine Ekstrom, brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Sandy Ekstrom and grandson, Garrett McMahon.
A celebration of John’s life will be conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Tharp Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Pastor Steve Turner. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family. To send online condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.
John started his education in a 3-room schoolhouse in Andover, NJ and later attended grade school in Newton, NJ. He moved with his family to a farm in Greene, NY in 1949 and graduated from Greene Central School in 1955. John attended Cornell University where he was a member of the Freshman 8 Oared Crew. He graduated from Broome Community College and worked for NYSEG until his retirement in 1994. At that time, he was the Manager of Control Systems, an organization responsible for developing and operating the computer-based systems controlling the Companies vast electric generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
John was a charter member and president of the Greene Jaycees and was awarded a JCI Senatorship. He was a member and past chairman of the Broome Community College Industrial Advisory Committee. He married Mary Lou Williams in 1959 and together they raised two sets of twins, Kevin & Kim, and Stuart & Brian.
John met his second wife, Arija and married her on Ground Hog Day Eve 1986. Together they enjoyed designing, building, and operating Big Easy Registered Hereford Ranch in Bedford, Virginia. John loved farming which was always a part of his life even while pursuing his career at NYSEG. They were members of the Virginia Hereford Association and traveled extensively, visiting all 50 of the United States. They enjoyed hosting and entertaining large groups of family and friends in their scenic mountain view farm. After they exhausted their second careers they moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 2013 and enjoyed their retirement with friends old and new.
Surviving is John’s wife of 36 years, Arija Ekstrom; four children, Kevin Ekstrom (Kimberly) of Greene, NY, Kim Ekstrom of Williamsport, PA, Stuart Ekstrom (Stacy) of Wake Forest, NC and Brian Ekstrom of Owego, NY, his stepchildren, Todd Hite (Kelly) of Rochester, MN and Tonya Jefferson (Mike) of Bedford, VA. Also surviving is his brother, George Ekstrom (Barbara) of Churchville, PA; grandchildren, Erika, Ryan, T.J., Justin, Dylan, Chase, Kendra, Aiden, and Noah and two great-grandchildren.
Preceding in death were his parents, Albert and Kathrine Ekstrom, brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Sandy Ekstrom and grandson, Garrett McMahon.
A celebration of John’s life will be conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Tharp Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Pastor Steve Turner. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family. To send online condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Alvin Ekstrom, please visit our flower store.
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