January 29, 2026, 89, Mount Olive – Retired Captain Emil L. Cekada, Mount Olive resident, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, January 29, 2026. He had been residing at the Wilson Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wilson, NC, where he received compassionate care for Parkinson’s disease during his final years.
Emil was born March 25, 1936, at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC. Except for a short time in New York while his father was serving in World War II, he spent most of his life in Durham. Emil graduated from Asheville School in 1955, and he graduated from William & Mary with a BS in Chemistry in 1959. Following his graduation, he enrolled in the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, where he earned his degree in 1962. During his time there, he was an active member of the Phi Delta Chi Professional Fraternity and Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society, and he was honored with the Lehn & Fink Gold Medal Award for Achievement in Pharmacy. He went on to complete his hospital pharmacy residency at Duke University Medical Center.
While at UNC he met Margaret, his beloved wife and lifelong partner. In 1963, he entered the U.S. Public Health Service and was assigned to the Indian Health Service in Mt. Edgecumbe, Alaska. While carrying out his regular hospital and clinic responsibilities, he served as a pharmacy consultant for surrounding communities and to the Coast Guard in the region.
During this meaningful chapter of service, he and Margaret were married on March 27, 1964—the very day of the Great Alaska Earthquake. After her graduation from UNC in June, the couple began their life together in Alaska. In June of 1965, he was transferred to Arizona, where he served as chief pharmacist at the Indian Health Service Hospitals in Winslow and Fort Defiance. During their time there, their family grew: their son, Emil James, was born in Winslow, followed by the birth of their daughter, Emily, in Fort Defiance.
In 1971, the family moved to Richfield, Minnesota, where he earned his master’s degree from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota in 1972. That September, the family found themselves back in Alaska as Emil became the Area Pharmacy Officer for the Alaska Area Native Health Service of Anchorage, a position he held with dedication until 1992. In his role, he directed pharmacy programs throughout Alaska, an experience that allowed him to work with and learn from many unique communities.
In 1982, Emil was honored with the Bowl of Hygeia Award for the State of Alaska. He also served as President of the Alaska Society of Hospital Pharmacists, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Pharmaceutical Association, and was Editor of the Alaska Pharmacist. Emil and Margaret devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their children, Emil James and Emily—coaching hockey, being members of the Anchorage Figure Skating Association, and attending every one of their children’s activities. Sports were a central part of family life, bringing them countless shared moments and memories.
In 1992, Emil and Margaret returned to North Carolina, bringing their family journey full circle. They settled back in Mount Olive, Margaret’s hometown. Emil worked at the Federal Prison at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base until his retirement in 1993. Retirement gave Emil and Margaret more time to spend with family and friends. This meant more sporting events, of course; games with VV, Sylvia, Jim, and Mary were always on the calendar, and they often used these outings as an excuse to travel and explore different areas of the country.
Emil was a devoted history buff. Both children fondly remember that their college tours often included stops at battlefields or museums along the way. Emil and Margaret were over the moon to have four grandchildren: Erica, Lauren, Amber, and Justin. They were their pride and joy.
Emil was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret; his parents, Dr. Emil B. Cekada and Louise Lewis Cekada; and his half-sister, Athea Rowe.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Emil James (Jennifer) Cekada of Wilson, NC, and his daughter and son-in-law, Emily (Lyle) Draayer of Anchorage, Alaska; his cherished granddaughters, Erica and Lauren Cekada, and Amber Draayer and Justin (Tara) McDaniel; his sister-in-law, Sylvia Pritchard of Goldsboro; and niece Jimi-Catherine Pritchard. He is also survived by his extended family: Jamie (Amanda) Crampton, Joshua (Nicole) Crampton, Edward (Stephanie) Rowe, and Michele Rowe.
Everyone who knew Emil knew he loved having a Coke. Always a Coke! The family invites you to raise a Coke for their Dad.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Wilson Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Gentiva for their exceptional care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC, First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive, or to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Service Information: A service to honor the life of Emil Cekada will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. at the Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, after which the family will receive friends and relatives.
