Psalms 127:3-5

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

James Stone Ekelman was born on April 4th, 2009, in Phoenix Arizona. Son to Christopher Ekelman and Erica O'Neal. In 2023 he moved to Globe Arizona with his father and sister. He was very excited to move to Globe, as he was very close to his Nana and Papa. James faced a lot of challenges after the move to Globe. After his Nana and Papa died, he started to withdraw more. Later finding out that he suffered from anxiety, depression and anger issues. He met a girl named Julie. They had a son named Greyson. He dropped out of school, and getting in some trouble. He told me that he just didn't feel understood anymore. Sadly, on July 30th, James took his own life.

James was the youngest of 4 and quite the visionary for his future. He loved to play basketball, video games and uno. He loved music and would practice his drums or keyboards whenever he could. He loved taking care of the yard and planting things. He was a very hard worker at anything he attacked. James was going to graduate and become an electrician. He was very book smart, street smart and could've taken over the world one day. He still tried to get the semi's to honk there horns and make you laugh. You were either loved or hated by him, and he wasn't afraid to tell you. He was definitely his own individual and didn't apologize for it. I will definitely miss the deep conversations we had about everything.

James is survived by his sister's Danielle and Sophia. 1 brother Dylan and a half-brother Rocky. James would be the first to stand for anyone of them, no matter the circumstances. He had a 1-year-old child named Greyson, that was his pride and joy, even at a young age. He was a very proud and wonderful Father to him. James also loved his cousins and nephews, Alex,Finn,and Malcolm. He is also survived by his grandparents Leslie and Valerie O'Neal, uncle Daniel and aunt Heather and his two cousins Hayden and Keira.

I don't know why things turned out the way they did. There were things he just couldn't let go and be free from. And even though he wasn't Free, you knew he was there, waiting to help, to love, to be remembered. He really was an awesome kid. He was solid. You are truly missed son.

To my son:

You were my little boy yesterday,

My best friend today,

And you'll be my son forever.

Never forget how proud I am of you.

I love you more than anything in this world, because you were my world.