Lee Ekstrom

Lee Warren Ekstrom, 86, who has lived in the Silver City area for 22 years, passed away at the Silver City Care center on Saturday, February 4th, 2023. Lee was born in Los Angeles, CA, on May 29, 1936, to Vernon and Hazel Latta Ekstrom. The family lived in New York and Chicago for several years before returning to Sacramento, CA, where Lee was a member of the very first graduating class from El Camino High School. He attended Cal Poly University at San Luis Obispo, CA, where he majored in agriculture. He worked at a grain farm in Washington and a cattle ranch in Manhattan, MT, where he learned to love ranching and horses.
Lee worked for many years as an electrician, first at Ekstrom's Plumbing and Electrical Supply in Lodi, CA, owned by his father, then moved on to other companies, in California and five years in Fairbanks, Alaska, before returning to Ekstrom's in Lodi.
He is survived by his wife of 49 ½ years, Christine Fairbanks. Lee is also survived by three daughters, Linda Ekstrom (Julian Valenzuela), Sheryl McGowan, (Mark), and Liz Vasquez, (Joe). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Gail (Gene) Fox and one grandson.
He loved the outdoors, real and model railroads, Western films and novels, and travel. He could often be found at home sitting in his favorite chair with the cat curled in his lap and listening to favorite Big Band music.
There will be no services and his ashes will be scattered this summer in his favorite place in Montana.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Alzheimer's Association in the New Mexico area.
He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.