Stephen Martin Ecton

1939 - 2024

Foreign Service Officer
Stephen Martin Ecton died peacefully on June 5, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Steve was born in Lexington, Kentucky on March 22, 1939, the son of Evelyn Martin Alvis, and stepson of Thomas Lucian Alvis. He was always proud of the fact that his early education included attending a one-room schoolhouse through the third grade and later serving as a minister at the Rockfield Methodist Church in Bowling Green. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1961, where he majored in English. In recognition of his noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to his community, Steve was recognized as a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.

In 1963, Steve joined the army and was assigned to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California for 64 weeks of a highly accelerated course in Mandarin Chinese, followed by three years in Okinawa. It was during that period that he developed a keen and lifelong interest in foreign policy and the country of Japan.

Following his discharge from the army, Steve settled in New York City and worked part-time as a youth counselor for the New York City Youth Board. While in New York, and for the remainder of his life, he wrote numerous short stories and novels on a variety of topics. In New York he also met his future wife, Catharine Hollister, and they were married in 1966. That same year, Steve joined the Foreign Service and embarked on a rewarding 35-year career advancing from the lowest rank of FSO-8 to the highest rank of Career Minister in the Senior Executive Service. He was the recipient of the Superior Honor Award and the Meritorious Award presented by the Department of State. His postings took him to Colombia, Japan, Australia and France.

Foreign Service Officers who knew Steve admired him as a quiet leader with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Steve often expressed his appreciation for the adventures, professional contacts, and experiences he had had, as well as the lifelong friendships that came with life in the Foreign Service.

Steve retired in 2000, and he and Catharine moved to New Orleans to be close to their daughter and her family. He also pursued his passion for writing. His published works are included in The Kansas Quarterly, The Phoenix, and The Little Magazine. While in New Orleans, Steve served on the Board of the Tennessee Williams Festival and the Loyola University Library.

Steve was a deeply caring family man who put the needs of his family above his own. He is survived by Catharine, his wife of 58 years, his daughter Rebecca O'Reilly (Brian), his son Thomas Lucian Ecton (Donna). His grandchildren include Tyler Winstead, Thomas Lucian Ecton, Jr., Garrett Hollister Ecton, Juliet Catharine O'Reilly, Tappan Louise O'Reilly, Sisson Marie O'Reilly, and Marshall Patrick O'Reilly. He is also survived by his brother, Henry Glenmore Ecton (Barbara), and his sister Kathryn Louise Hall.

A memorial service will be held on September 7, 2024, at 2 p.m. at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Foreign Service Association (AFSA.org), or to the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is https://tennesseewilliams.net/