Boyd Lee Ely, Jr.

Boyd Lee Ely, Jr., passed away in Colorado Springs, CO, on June 22, 2010.

He was born in Fresno, CA, to Boyd Lee Ely and Canara B. Ciarra. He attended Corcoran High School and graduated in May, 1952. He married Vel Mae Pitcock in Yuma, AZ, on March 8, 1953. Boyd was a member of First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. Boyd was an avid sports fan who grew up playing football before he entered the U.S. Army, where he served his country for 28 years, retiring in 1978 as a Sergeant Major. Boyd served in Korea, and 3 tours in Vietnam. He was also very involved with the Masons and Shriners, where he donated a significant amount of his time and money over his life.

Boyd was an avid sports fan who loved football - especially the Denver Bronco's. Boyd's 13 years in Germany turned him into an avid lover of German automobiles, and an avid race car fan which included several trips to Nurburgring, Germany, and Le Mans, France. Boyd was a true Patriot, who also enjoyed learning and experiencing everything about the USA. When his children were young, he frequently took them on Sunday drives to see the local sites in California, Maryland, Minnesota, Germany, and Colorado. Three cross country trips from California to New Jersey on the way to Germany gave the family lots of bonding time, and a chance to see a lot of the USA. Boyd was fascinated by technology, and really enjoyed buying the newest camera equipment. One famous memory was the time the family witnessed Julie Andrews filming the Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria.

Boyd is survived by his wife and 6 children; Pamela S. Fowler of Fairfield, PA, Steven P. Ely of Roswell, GA, Gwen K. Millwood of Lawrenceville, GA, Denise E. Ely of Lawrenceville, GA, Gregory L. Ely of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jennifer L. Cox of Colorado Springs, CO. Boyd's 2 sisters; Shirley and Jeanette live in Porterville, GA. Boyd has 13 Grandchildren; Phillip Fowler, Jaime Ward, Blair LeRoy, Garrett Ely, Mason Ely, Tracey Colombo, Kristy Millwood, Kenneth Carper, Kimberly Carper, Justin Ely, Sara Ely, Kirsten Ely, Jessica Cox and 5 Great Grandchildren; Bailey Ward, Jason Ward, Madison LeRoy, Joshua Colombo, Annabelle Colombo.

Boyd is preceded in death by his Father, Boyd Lee Ely and Mother, Canara B. Ciarra. Boyd's Grandparents were Joel and Ruth of Texas.

A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church of Colorado Springs on Friday, June 25, 2010, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, or the Shriners' Hospitals for Children. Boyd's remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.