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Obituary: Eli Jay Ellis

Eli Jay Ellis
Provided Photo
Eli Jay Ellis

October 23, 1998 – August 14, 2020

Eli Ellis (also affectionately known as Massiman, Elijaybeth, Elsa, The Little Professor and Peter Pan), of Craig, died Friday, August 14, 2020 in his home. He is survived by his parents Ashley (Lyster) Ellis and Rod & Jamie Ellis, his sister Gabrielle Ellis as well as Morgan Flanders, Talon & David Carsley and Kelsie & Colton Jones, his Grandparents, Sheri Sanford, Larry & Sue Lyster, Fred and Elaine Ellis, and Richard & Gayle Kendall, his aunts and uncles Brandon & Connie Lyster, Bull & Mandi Stewart, Cody & Michael Lyster, Todd & Laura Ellis and Rob & Dawn Ellis, his cousins Ridge & Sawyer Stewart, Nora Lyster, and Colton, Devon and Luke Ellis and more extended family than we can even mention. Eli was preceded in death by his brother Jake Ellis. Eli was born in Craig, Colorado on October 23, 1998. He went to school in Moffat County. He graduated simultaneously from Moffat County High School and Colorado Northwestern Community College in May of 2017 with a certificate in Auto Mechanics. Eli was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He was the envy of all of the young boys at Sherwood Forest on his FIT bike that he build to impress. He excelled at competitive shooting from the time he was just little. He made the State Team nearly every year and accomplished his ultimate goal of making the Nationals Team his senior year. He liked to use his education to mechanic on various toys and vehicles which was good because he was known for tearing them up. He was a very hard worker and loved every second of it. He spent some time in Woodward, Oklahoma working in the oil field which he absolutely loved. While living there he met Grace, whom he referred to as his future wife. When the oilfield collapsed in April, he came back home. He recently went to work building fence which he was thoroughly enjoying and came home full of stories every evening. Though it was cut short way too soon, Eli lived a full life. He went on fishing trips to Alaska and Mexico. He learned to snorkel, and had bragging rights to a shark biting his fish in half while he was reeling it in. He climbed rock faces, he dove off cliffs, he drove too fast… and all the while with his music playing too loud. While he had a big brilliant mind and a smile that would light up any room, he never excelled in this world. He was too bright and beautiful to thrive here. In his mind, that never stopped spinning, he fought some formidable demons that he kept hidden from us all. While we miss him unbearably, he is now at peace in Heaven with Our Father and his little brother, Jake. There will be a viewing Friday, August 21, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Grant Mortuary. Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 22, 2020. A reception to celebrate Eli’s life will follow at Loudy-Simpson Park. Please come and share stories. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for Eli’s little sister, Gabi, has been started. Donations can be made at Yampa Valley Bank. May his memory be eternal, and may his light shine bright.


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