GARLAND RAY EKENSTAM, P.E.

G. Ray Ekenstam, 63, of Santa Ana, died May 6, 2008, in Sacramento where he was being treated for peritoneal mesothelioma. He was born on September 10, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Ray is survived by his mother, Rocena Pulsipher; his special best friend, Elizabeth Moore; brother, Rowan Ekenstam; sisters, Anita (Bruce) Beverly and Sharon (Scot) Harlan; 3 nieces, 2 great-nieces, and 2 great-nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Ekenstam and his wife Eileen (Pluta) Ekenstam.

Ray was graduated from California State University at Fullerton in 1973 with a degree in electrical engineering.  Over the years he became a registered professional engineer in the states of California, Alaska, Connecticut, and Texas. For many years, he worked for the Fluor Corporation on electrical power projects in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Union of South Africa, and California. He also worked on the North Slope pipeline project in Alaska, where he engineered the many construction camps.  Later he became the owner of G. Ray Ekenstam Engineering, a consulting firm that serviced the petrochemical industry throughout the United States.

Ray proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 - 1968 including a tour of duty in South Vietnam.  He trained as a paratrooper during the war and became a Combat Controller making two night time combat jumps in remote areas.  Ray was highly regarded and had a reputation of never forgetting his comrades in arms and supported them wherever possible.

Private services will be held today.