Benjamin Calep Ellis

Benjamin Calep Ellis

May 13, 1949 - Feb. 9, 2015

WRAY, Colo. -- Benjamin Calep Ellis was born May 13, 1949, in Wray to Thomas Caleb and Blanche (Redden) Ellis. He passed away Feb. 9, 2015, in Wray.

Ben's first year of school was in a country school house in the Wiggins area. After that, he went to Wiggins Elementary up to the fifth grade. The family relocated to Haigler, Nebraska, and later moved to Indianola, Nebraska, where he attended high school.

At the age of 19, Benjamin met and married Patricia Herbert of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and to this union they were blessed with the birth of sons, Benjamin, Dale and James and one daughter, Theresa.

He joined the Navy July 7, 1972, toward the end of the Vietnam Conflict. Ben trained in boot camp at San Diego, California. His time in the Navy was aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, an aircraft carrier. One of Ben's best highlights while aboard the ship was the recovery of Apollo 17 and meeting the astronauts in the summer of 1973. Ben was given the privileged opportunity to assist in the decomissioning of his ship, the U.S.S. Ticonderoga.

Ben was very proud to have served in the Navy and his country. When time allowed, his favorite pastime was fishing off the pier. Following his honorably discharge in 1973, he worked around the Arapahoe area for a short while and by November of that year, he and his brother, Roger, relocated to Los Angeles, California.

There Ben met and married Barbara Weaver in 1974 and to this blessed union was born a son, Dean Eric Ellis, joining his two sisters, Darryea and DeAndra Dugan. Ben worked as a machinist, welder and mechanic during his years in California. They moved to Springfield, Missouri, in the early 1090s.

In the mid to late 1990s, Ben moved to Eckley, living with his mother and helped many family and friends with his mechanic skills.

He worked various jobs in the Yuma, Eckley and Wray areas. His last few years he dearly enjoyed fishing and hanging out with family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas C. Ellis and Blanche (Redden) Brown; one beloved sister, Cindy Lou Ellis; wife, Barbara Weaver (love of his life), and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Left to mourn his passing are his son, Dean Eric Ellis and grandson, Eric of Springfield; sons, Benjamin, Dale and James of Nebraska; daughter, Theresa of Kansas; his stepdaughters, Darryea and DeAndra of Missouri; many grandchildren and step-grandchildren; brothers, Roger Lee Pllis of Eckley, Rodney Ellis of Indianola and George and wife, Emily Ellis and family of Vernon; sister, Connie (Rob) Ellis, El Abridi (Tinker); uncle, Frank Redden of Indianola and many other family members.

Ben is sadly missed by all and you are in our memories and hearts forever.

Graveside services and interment were Feb. 13 in the Eckley Cemetery with Pastor Glen Kline officiating.