Robert Melvin Ellis

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Robert Melvin Ellis was born in Roberts, Idaho, to Melvin Purser Ellis and Irene Louise Davies. He was the oldest of three children and grew up on the family farm in Hamer, Idaho, where hard work and family influence shaped the man he would become.

Bob's patriotism ran deep. After a year at Utah State University, he proudly served four years (1957-1961) in the United States Navy between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, stationed in Japan, Hawaii, and the Marshall Islands. His service instilled in him a lifelong dedication to God and country that colored everything he did.

Returning to Utah State, Bob met his sweetheart, Afton Ord Fullmer, at a Halloween dance in 1961. They married on September 13, 1962, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple and built a “wild life” together - a joke Bob loved to make about his Wildlife Management career. They loved to dance and never lost that rhythm through 63 years of marriage, even in their later years when they would dance in the kitchen with grandkids watching. Bob graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management from Utah State University in 1964.

Bob's 31-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took his growing family from Oregon to Washington, California, and finally Nebraska, where he managed the Fort Niobrara and Valentine National Wildlife Refuges. He loved saying the government paid him to raise buffalo, elk, and Texas Longhorn cattle. Each place they lived brought another blessing to their growing family.

In 1992, Bob retired to the Hamer family ranch, coming full circle to the land where his story began. There he raised cattle, served his church and community, and built a legacy of faith, hard work, and unwavering love for family. He loved to raise Red Angus cattle and Arabian horses and took pride in the quality of his stock.

Bob was an avid and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Branch President in Valentine, Nebraska, for 11 years. He also served in many other callings through the years that have included leadership positions, teaching assignments, and many callings with the youth.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Afton, and their children: Dara (Shawn) Bohn of Washington, Laila (David) Kammerman of Kansas, Justin (Kristi) Ellis of Wyoming, Shane (Camille) Ellis of Iowa, Lance (Alisa) Ellis of Rigby, Tasha (Trevor) Cook of Utah, Brenden (Stephanie) Ellis of Wyoming, and Chanda (Scott) House of Twin Falls. He is also survived by 38 grandchildren, six grandchildren-in-law, and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Irene, his brother Gary and sister Elaine, and his grandson Jaguar Ellis.

The family will meet with friends and relatives on January 5th from 6-8 pm and January 6th from 9:30-10:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2454 E 2100 N, Hamer, Idaho. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, January 6th at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the West Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Terreton, Idaho.