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Ecker, Kevin
Kevin Ecker, 52, died unexpectedly of natural causes on May 4, 2012, in Chicago.
All the world was a stage for Kevin, who throughout his life brought his family and friends many laughs, smiles, surprises and finally tears. Born March 7, 1960, in Elizabethtown, Ky., Kevin was an entertainer who loved an audience and couldn't get enough laughter in his life. He was a loving father, brother, son and grandson, who quickly made friends everywhere he went - from Cedar Rapids to Florida, and everywhere in between.
He is survived by two children, Thomas Raymond Ecker and Rachel Anne Ecker, Winter Springs, Fla.; father, Thomas R. Ecker (Carol), Cedar Rapids; mother, Judith Koch Ecker (Frank Boone), Louisville, Ky.; three siblings, Dr. Wendy E. Martin, Treasure Island, Fla., Kerry Ecker (Mary Scannell), Tempe, Ariz., and Kjerstin Dillon (Paul), Orlando, Fla.; grandmother, Helen M. Koch, Louisville, Ky.; former wife, JoAnne Ecker, Winter Springs, Fla.; nephews, Ash, Jackson and Russell; and nieces, Katie, Ryan, Lucy, Rachel and Sienna.
After growing up in Cedar Rapids, where he was an award-winning performing arts graduate of Washington High School, Kevin became a standup comedian, working comedy clubs throughout the United States and on cruise ships. He was a master ukulele player, and his performances were always based on his uke playing. Also known as “Luke Bailey and his Ukulele,” Kev skillfully strummed tunes, mostly original, many of them song parodies, during his many performances.
At the time of his death, Kevin was employed as a guide supervisor (although his name badge read “Informationologist”) by Shoreline Sightseeing on Lake Michigan. He loved the occasional opportunity to go onboard and add to the spiel about Chicago for a few extra laughs. But the wind on the lake is often cold and he missed his years spent working in sunny Florida at Nickelodeon and Universal Studios. He was planning to leave Chicago and return to Florida.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, Ky. A private burial will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery, following the service.
Published in The Gazette May 8, 2012.
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