Obituary of Thomas L. Ellis

Tom L. Ellis age 70 of Burlington, Colorado passed away Friday, October 20, 2016 at his home in Burlington. He was born on March 7, 1946 in Holyoke, Colorado to Melvin and Laura (Shambaugh) Ellis. He was one of seven siblings. Tom grew up on a farm north of Eckley, Colorado. He attended Buffalo Grass School until 5th grade. The family then moved to Eckley, Colorado where he attended Eckley School; he transferred to Yuma High School until his graduation in 1964. Tom attended Rangely College on a basketball and baseball scholarship. From 1964 to 1966 he continued his college education at Southern Colorado State University in Pueblo, Colorado until his graduation 1968. On September 17, 1966 Tom was united in marriage to Kathryn A. Gose in Englewood, Colorado. They shared over fifty years of marriage. To this union were born a son, Tim Ellis and two daughters, Cindy Ellis and JoDee Ellis. Tom taught school immediately after graduating college at Burlington Junior and Senior High School for the next thirty one years, retiring in 2000. He was a football and basketball coach for seventeen years during which time he coached in one state championship football game. He drove a school bus route and drove the athletic team busses to many games and special events. He also taught many years as the driver education instructor. During Tom’s high school years at Yuma High School, he played on two state championship teams, one in basketball and one in football. Tom was an avid sportsman. He loved fishing, hunting and taking long walks with his beloved dogs. Tom was a loving and giving husband and father. He showed everyone that knew him that he had the biggest heart and how to love without limits. He had a giving smile to reflect yours and most importantly making his family his number one priority. He was a devoted husband, dad, brother, grandfather, uncle, idol, teacher and man. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his smile, his jokes and his giving heart. Tom will be dearly missed and his warm spirit will continue on through his family and friends for the rest of their lives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin & Laura; two brothers-in-law, Danny Jiron and Marty Gose. Tom is survived by his wife Kathryn of the home; one son, Tim Ellis of Burlington, Colorado; two daughters, Cindy Ellis (Michael) of Greeley, Colorado and JoDee Ellis of Burlington, Colorado; three sisters, Carolyn Knapton (Stan) of Tucson, Arizona, Alice Brown (Al) of Cedaredge, Colorado and Lila Jiron of Cedaredge, Colorado; three brothers, Max Ellis (Julie) of Helena, Montana, Jerry Ellis (Sandy) of Cedaredge, Colorado and Mervin Ellis of Colorado Springs, Colorado; six grandchildren, Taylor Barnes, Mason Barnes, Cade Barnes, Michaela Ellis, Rae Ellis and Matthew Ellis. ****The family would like to invite everyone to a Celebration of Life following the ceremony at 563 4th Street, Burlington, Colorado. Pork sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Please join us. There wishes also are that you dress casual for the services.