Dirk Alan Ekey

September 1, 1956 — March 3, 2024

Hot Springs, AR

Dirk Alan Ekey was born on September 1, 1956 in Hays, Kansas. He was the first child of
Denzell and Thelma Fritzler Ekey. At the age of 10, Dirk lost his mother to cancer and was
brought up in a blended family in Topeka KS. He graduated from Topeka High School where he
was a member of the marching band, the stage band and jazz band. He graduated from North
Central Kansas Vocational Technical School in Beloit, KS, specializing in heavy machinery
operation. He later attended Fort Hays State University for 2 years.
Dirk had a strong work ethic and held a variety of jobs throughout his life. He mowed lawns,
caddied at Topeka Country Club, shined shoes, and DJed. He spent several years working at
and ultimately managing various McDonald’s restaurants in Kansas and California. Later, he
worked as an office manager in Santa Clara CA. After moving to be with his sister in Hot
Springs AR, he kept busy by automating their home and providing computer tech support to
friends near and far.
He was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks, the Denver Broncos, and the
Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR team. He was a passionate golfer, and when his mobility
became impaired he enjoyed watching Lakeside High Rams baseball from the comfort of his
truck and also kept his mind busy at home with game shows and computer games.
Dirk will be remembered for his outgoing personality, dry sense of humor, endless generosity,
extreme patience, phenomenal memory, love of golf, innate musical ability, and magical tech
support.
Dirk was preceded in death by his parents, and younger brother Scott. He is survived by his
sister Kay Ekey of Hot Springs AR, his niece Jessica Ekey of Nottingham, England, and his step
siblings Steve Bennett of Tulsa OK, David Bennett of Biloxi MS, and Julie Bennett-Desmelik of
Atlanta GA.
A celebration of life will be held in California later this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made to https://www.jacksonhouse.org/. Please share your favorite memories of Dirk on the
virtual guestbook at the bottom of this page.

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