Darrell Dee Ellis

Darrell Dee Ellis, age 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away at The Gardens of Rigby, Saturday, November 28, 2015. Dee was born August 18, 1933 in Rigby, Idaho a son to James Albert Ellis and Laura Fullmer Ellis. Later his family moved to Utah, where he attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah. On January 13, 1951 he married Karolyn Irene Kerlee, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He worked for Meadow Gold, drove truck for Eddy’s Bread, and later started selling insurance with Prudential. He opened Ellis Insurance Agency in the mid 1970’s in Idaho Falls. He was a member of the Rigby Jaycees and even served as president for a year while living in Rigby. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Home Teacher, an LDS Representative with EIRMC for 5 years for the stake, and was a temple officiator for 10 years. He and Karolyn also enjoyed participating in the Hill Cumorah, for a number of years, where they truly loved being involved and making wonderful friendships. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, snowmobiling with his kids, going to the cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming, and anything outdoors. He loved driving on trips to various locations. He had a great sense of humor and was a great people person. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Karolyn Ellis of Idaho Falls, a daughter, Julie Ann Clilfford of Rexburg, three sons: Brett Dee (Doreen) Ellis of South Jordan, Utah, Bart K (Beth) Ellis of Fairfield, California, and Trent Darrell (Kari) Ellis of Tigard, Oregon, son-in-law Oren Randall, Taylorsville, Utah, three sisters: Margaret (Kenneth) Bird of Sandy, Utah, Shiela McCleery of Sandy, Utah, Mickie (Rudy) Valentin of Pflugerville, Texas, three brothers: James (CoraLee) Ellis Jr. of Orem, Utah, Robert (Mary) Ellis of Saginaw, Texas, Richard R. (Gayleen) Ellis of Idaho Falls, 17 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Sharon Kramer, a daughter Jani Lyn Randal, and a son-in-law, Kyle Jay Clifford. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Woodruff 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, 2055 Coronado, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends at the east entrance of the Woodruff 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, Wednesday, December 2nd from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.