Robert Lee Ellis

Robert Lee Ellis Our Dad passed away peacefully, February 3, 2013 at Curry Estates in Twin Falls. Bob was born February 12, 1918 in Thatcher, Idaho to Leroy and Emma Ellis. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Gertrude (Trudy), married for 17 years, and three previous wives: Wilma Jones, Edna Albertson, and Beth Bankhead. Also by sons Bobby and Leon Ellis. He is survived by his son Darwin Ellis (Anne) of Martinsville, Indiana; daughters Bonnie Sanders (Neal), of Corvallis, Oregon, Valdi Brown, of Jerome, and Drena Sonius (Allan), of Lake Havasu, Arizona; daughter in law Paulette Ellis of Twin Falls; Sister Lavell Brown of Grantsville, Utah and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Trudy's children Judy Parker of Twin Falls, Ray Garey of Jerome, and Loyd Garey of Twin Falls. Bob and Trudy lived 17 years in true marital bliss, each one being so very grateful to have the other to share their lives. They enjoyed so much eating lunch at the Senior Citizens Center participating in their many activities especially dancing which unbeknownst to his children, Bob was considered an excellent dancer. He spent many years with his son Bobby at Ellis Repair Shop. Dad grew up in the Boswell area of Utah in a family of 13 children. Besides pursuing girl friends with his one horse buggy, he managed to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He learned the Carpentry trade from an uncle around 14 years of age. He then moved to Idaho to live with his sister Lorean Sears and completed his high school education at Burley High School with the insistence and support of long time friend and employer Juel Newman. He met and married Wilma Jones and spent the early war years working at various defense facilities in the West. He worked in a mine near Winnemucca, Nevada and raised turkeys near Bear River, Utah and Rock Springs, Wyoming. He worked as a line man for Burley Unity Power and Light and then graduated from the Famous "Coyne" electrical school in Chicago, Illinois. Dad spent many years winding and repairing electric motors at Waite Electric in Twin Falls and ended his career owning and operating his own shop, B & B Electric. He bought farm land in the Milner area while working for Mr. Newman and later developed the land when water was available from the Palisades reservoir project. Dad loved to work on houses, remodeling two and building two. The whole family worked on our first new house on Addison Ave. East. The family Suggests Memorial contributions to be given to Twin Falls, Senior Citizens Center or the Bobby Ellis Memorial Fund in care of Paulette Ellis, 2031 Julie Lane, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. The family wishes to thank Curry Estates staff for their loving care of our Dad. Private services will be held at a later time. Friends may share condolences at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com