David Cropper Ekins, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in Provo, Utah. He was born on August 13, 1946 in Delta, Utah to George Arnold and Sebrina Cropper Ekins. David was a life-long resident of Hinckley, Utah. He graduated from Delta High School in 1964, and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics in 1970. David served as a full-time LDS missionary in the California Mission from 1965-1967 and as a trek missionary at the Deseret Land and Livestock Handcart Trek Mission for the summers of 2016-2017. He enjoyed church service which included bishop, high councilor, scoutmaster, temple worker and assistant area auditor.
David married Linda Lue Nickle on July 18, 1969 in the Manti LDS Temple. The true joys of his life were his wife, children and grandchildren. David enjoyed crossword puzzles and family history. His aunts, uncles and cousins held a special place in his heart. David was the king of troubleshooting. If something could be fixed, he would find a way to get it done, often using baling twine. He was self-taught in computer programming and self-reliant in many ways. He built his home, was an early computer guru, learned blacksmithing, built fly rods and preserved memories for our family and others through photography. He kindly offered a listening ear with the frequent advice, “It will all work out.”
David is survived by Linda Lue Nickle Ekins, his wife and best friend of 50 years; children: Natalie Riley (Kevin), Valarie Olson (Kelly), Kathryn Spencer (Lynn), Matthew Ekins (Andrea), Karen Grover (Thomas); sisters: Kathryn Black, Margaret Wilde; brother: Gene Ekins (Jane); 18 grandchildren and one great grandson. In lieu of flowers his family encourages donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian Fund.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 31, at 11:00 am, at the Hinckley LDS Chapel, 188 North Main St. Viewings will be held on Sunday evening, 6-8 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 South Center St, Delta; and Monday, 9:00-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will be in the Hinckley Cemetery.