Gary Wayne Ellis

Gary Wayne Ellis age 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on August 13th in Payson, Utah surrounded by his family.  Gary grew up in Mapleton, Utah and graduated from Springville High School.  From a young age, he developed a love for sports, but he especially loved baseball and rightfully earned the nickname Ace from his friends.  Some of his greatest childhood memories were spent on Mapleton Mountain hunting with his father and brother.  He would often share stories about those experiences with his children and grandchildren and always claimed that he had the nicest deer camp around.

He served a tour of duty in the Vietnam war and was decorated for valor during his service.  After his tour of duty ended his next assignment was at Fort Hood in Killeen Texas where he was a member of President Lyndon B. Johnson's honor guard.

In 1965 he married his high school sweetheart Patricia Thorn.  Together they raised four children and spent many wonderful years in the Springville Mapleton area.  As a family, they often enjoyed many outdoor activities including spending time at their family cabin in Fairview canyon.  During retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motorhome often with good friends.

He spent his lifetime working as a masonry contractor.  The primary focus of his work was commercial projects and he received a lifetime service award from the Utah Masonry Council.  He took great pride in the quality of his work.  It was very important to him that he teach his family the value of hard work and always doing their best.

He is preceded in death by his: Father Ross W. Ellis, mother Cora Harmer Ellis, Aunt Dora Harmer, and Sister Sharon Norton.  He is survived by his: Wife Patricia Thorn Ellis, sons Gary “Richard” Ellis (Lara), Brady B Ellis, daughters Adrianne Watson (Scott), and Michelle Foli (Bryan). 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  Brother Alan Ellis and sister Susan Knight.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 18th at 11:00 am at the Mapleton 7th ward Chapel, 1050 North 300 West Mapleton, UT 84664.  Friends and Family may call Wednesday, April 17th, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, (211 East 200 South Springville, UT) or Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church.  Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, the services may be HERE