James Daddy" Ellis

TORRINGTON, WY..... Memorial services for JAMES R. "Big Daddy" ELLIS, 70, will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church with Reverend Curtis Hill officiating. Jim died on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Torrington Community Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Those who wish may direct memorial contributions to either the Lingle Volunteer Fire Department or to the Torrington Royal Order of the Moose Lodge #664 Building Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Jim was born on April 22, 1939 in Denver, Colorado the son of Herald and Dorothy (Springstead) Ellis. Jim attended school in Denver through the 8th grade and then Cheyenne, Wyoming for one year and then to LaGrange, Wyoming where Jim continued his education; graduating from LaGrange High School in 1958. He went on to briefly attend the Goshen County Community College at Torrington. Jim then operated a tire store in LaGrange for a short time. On February 18, 1961 he married Myrna Arnold at Hawk Springs, Wyoming. The couple operated Ellis Wholesale Candy and Jim’s Swim at Torrington. Jim was a carpenter and built houses in Torrington for four years. In 1972 he started Concrete Construction, Inc in Torrington. Jim sold CCI and retired in 2006. Jim started attending Wyoming State Fire Conventions in 1964 and after he retired from the conventions competitive events, he became a timer. Jim had been a member of both the Torrington and Lingle Volunteer Fire Departments. He was currently serving on the Wyoming Firemen’s Pension Fund Board. Jim mostly loved being with his family and friends. He enjoyed woodworking, camping, hunting, and boating. He was the ultimate handyman. He also enjoyed working on the family cabin at Hawk Springs Reservoir. Jim was a member of Community Presbyterian Church at Lingle, and the Torrington Royal Order of the Moose Lodge #664 where he was Governor for two years. Jim was also a past member of the Jaycees and Toastmasters. He is survived by his wife, Myrna of Lingle; two sons and their wives, Gordon (Lidia) Ellis of Roseville, California and Garrold (Cheryl) Ellis of Bakersfield, California; two daughters and their husbands, Gwen (Tim) Holt of George West, Texas, and Gail (Casey) Babbitt of Yoder, Wyoming; two sisters, Betty (Dan) Bullis, and Velma (Jim) Belk all of Lake Havasu, Arizona; 17 grandchildren, Getty, Afton, Shaylee, Auston, Cortnee, Adyson, Chayson, Cayleb, Kirby, Kassidy, Caysi, Kapri, Aydon, Tanya, Rob, Ashley, Julie; and two great grandchildren on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Nancy Ellis.