Oct 21, 2010
Ecke’s Jack Williams Dies Suddenly in AustraliaSource: Ecke Ranch

Jack Williams, international product manager and technical support representative at Ecke Ranch, Encinitas, Calif., died unexpectedly on Oct. 18, while traveling on business in Australia.

Williams joined Ecke Ranch in 1984. Over the past 26 years, he was involved in the evaluation, selection and introduction of Ecke Ranch’s new products and the company’s international crops divisions, Ecke Europe and PLA.

His focus included not only Ecke poinsettias but all of the company’s annual bedding plants, geraniums, kalanchoe and other vegetative annual crops produced and sold by the Ecke companies as well.

In addition to working with product development, production and the sales and marketing groups for new plant introductions, he also supplied technical support in the form of production documents, magazine articles, crop production books and grower seminars.

William was also an editorial advisor to GPN and Lawn & Garden Retailer. His editorial contributions and advice were in valuable to all of our publications.

“Jack was my classmate at Colorado State University, and he was always a much better student than I was! It was a great feeling to see Jack at the Ranch when I returned in 1987. He has contributed here ever since, first as a grower, and later in many ways, including traveling the world helping growers grow and market their crops, as well as being part of our creative team and of our product development effort.,” said Paul Ecke III, CEO and owner of Ecke Ranch.

“He was truly blessed – he loved his family, and he loved his work. No one exhibited more enthusiasm on a daily basis than Jack. He is literally known the world over, and I have always called him a ‘rock star’ in our industry, ” Ecke remarked.

“[Jack’s] creativity and passion for our products, our company and our industry were truly far reaching. The only limits were those of his creative mind. He was able to convey these ideas in ways that we could understand and execute. He connected all of the dots for growers and marketers alike,” said Andy Higgins, president, Ecke Ranch.

Services will take place at 12 noon this Saturday, Oct. 30 at St. James Catholic Church, 623 S. Nardo Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075.

There will be a memorial reception following the service at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, CA 92024.

A trust fund has been created in honor of Jack. To donate to the Williams Trust by check: Beneficiary name and address: Cheryl Williams, 842 Summersong Ct, Encinitas, CA 92024

To Donate by wired transfer:
Bank Name: Citibank, NA
Bank Address: 113-A El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024