Colonel Michael “Mike” Ekman, United States Army (Retired), passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, with his cherished wife Ann by his side. He left behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and most importantly, love for his family. Mike was preceded in death by his beloved and fearless daughter LTC Christina Ekman (Col ret Andy Glass); parents BG Bill & Iris Ekman and sister Sandy Goshorn.
He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Patty Dokken (Tim), son Tom Ekman (Kristin), and daughter Katie Hines (MSG Matt Hines). He was a proud grandfather to Andrew and Paul Dokken, Will Glass, Jett and Sutton Ekman, and Ian and Ella Hines. Mike is also survived by his two brothers, LTC(ret) Jon Ekman, (Kathy) Muncie IN and LTC(ret) Rick Ekman, (Sue) Morristown, NY.
Mike graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a 1LT in 1961. Over the course of a distinguished 30-year military career, he served his country around the world, embracing assignments that took him from the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina and the 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa to Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Panama, and the Pentagon.
He served as a Company Commander with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and later served at Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. He went on to hold numerous leadership positions, including commanding the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg, and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. His final military assignment was as Commander of the Army Training Support Center, TRADOC. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree in Physical Education from Indiana University, attended the Naval War College, the Army War College, and served as an instructor at West Point.
After 30 years of dedicated service to his country, Mike retired in 1991 with the rank of Colonel. But retirement did not end his commitment to service. From 1992 to 1997, he worked with Vinnell Corporation, training the Saudi Arabian National Guard in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. He also shared his love of learning as a mathematics instructor and coach at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia, for over 10 years.
While Mike was proud of his military career and the soldiers he led, his greatest accomplishment was the family he built with his beloved wife, Ann. For 63 years, Ann was his partner and the love of his life. Together, they navigated the challenges and adventures of military life and raising a family.
For all of his accomplishments as a soldier and leader, Ann and his children will remember him most for the way he was always present in their lives and allowed them to blaze their own path. In addition to always being ready to take them on an impromptu adventure, he also allowed Tom to join him on field exercises in Korea; he jumped alongside Chrissy on her final qualifying jump and pinned her wings at the Army’s Airborne School; he encouraged Patty to keep running despite her asthma, always reminding her to push through and never allow herself to feel limited; and with Katie, he never wavered in his steadfast support of her equestrian and soccer dreams, traveling across the state and never missing a competition. He was always ready to trade his Colonel’s uniform for fun - leading his family on adventures through forests and jungles alike in search of historical sites, enjoying holiday runs that often turned into treks across hill and dale, or just playing on the beach.
With Ann, following his retirement, they continued to enjoy global adventures as Mike’s work took him around the world - camping in the Saudi desert, floating the Nile, exploring the Arabian Gulf states, cruising the Danube and following the paths of numerous historical military campaigns. Mike will be remembered for his strength, integrity, discipline, leadership, and unwavering sense of duty, and for his incredible sense of humor, love of music and back rubs, and his commitment to living life to the fullest.
A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, August 15 at 1:00pm, at Zion Lutheran Church, 297 Zion Church Rd, Waynesboro VA, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
Final interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah.