Don Ellis

Don Fredrick Ellis

November 10, 1923 ~ January 8, 2016

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Don Fredrick Ellis passed away peacefully at his home on January 8, 2016.  He was born on November 10, 1923 in Ogden, Utah to Alma Leroy Ellis and Mabel Cottom Ellis.  He was raised in Pleasant View and Riverdale where he and his siblings Leona, Glen, and Howard chased freely through the family farms and orchards.

At an early age he worked the family farm alongside his father and developed a love for nature and learned the secrets of how to cultivate the earth to make things grow and produce. Fruit farming was his avocation. He was inventive and he developed new techniques to transport produce to the market.

During World War II, Don proudly served his country in the Pacific on board the Air Craft Carrier USS Hornet.  It was while he was in the Navy that he married his high-school sweetheart Ardis Hickenlooper in Hollister, California.  Later, their marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple. They made their home in Riverdale where they started their family. They spent nearly 70 years together in an adoring relationship until her passing on January 29, 2014. She was his ultimate passion and made her along with his family the focus of his life.

He was employed at Hill Air Force Base where he worked for 30 years and retired at the age of 52.  The remainder of his years were spent attending games, dance competitions, school programs and music recitals for his grandchildren and other family members. He and Ardis hosted endless Sunday family dinners.

He traveled with Ardis and his family; his favorites were Europe, Palm Springs and Yellowstone Park. He created stained glass art pieces, pottery and enjoyed painting and collecting artifacts from the Southwest.

He was a faithful member of the LDS Church and held many callings. He was a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and Young Farmers.

Together, he and Ardis are the parents of three children, Brent (Tamra) Ellis, Sherry (Tres) Ferrin, and Jana Jacobs (Reed Mecham); 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and lots of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sweet wife, parents, siblings, and one grandson Seth Ferrin.

Don was a wonderful, loving, and devoted patriarch to his family. At the age of 92, with his family in attendance, he passed away leaving a grand legacy of love for those he leaves behind.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 9:30 to 10: 30 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Scott Stallings, Brian and Tracy from Canyon Hospice for their kind care and dedication to our father.