Donald Charles Ellis

Donald Charles Ellis, 95, passed away at his home in Ammon on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was under the care of family and Solace Home Health and Hospice.

Donald was born Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1930, in Grant, Idaho, the third and last child of Parley Edmond Ellis and Emma Ruth Balmforth Ellis. He spent his childhood in Grant, attending Grant Elementary and graduating from Midway High School, and then attending Ricks College in Rexburg for a year.

While attending college, he met Ireta Ruth Cook and they were married on March 1, 1950, for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. They started their lives together on a small farm in Hamer, Idaho, where the first three of six children were born. Dad worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and for a short time at what is now the INL. They then moved to a farm in Clark, Idaho, where their final three children were born. Dad loved the farm and took great pride in his land, his crops, and his livestock. He often commented that he had to work a job to support the farm. He was a 4-H leader for several years to his kids and others in the small farming community. As children, we learned to work hard and have respect for the land and for life. Dad also took a job with District 6 of the Idaho Department of Transportation as a desk clerk. Always one to pursue more education advancing within the department and retiring after 30 years as an Engineering Technician working on Highway and Structure designs.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was always serving in some capacity, Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, home teacher (his favorite), and as a ward clerk to numerous bishoprics. If there was a need, Dad always answered the call.

Dad and Mom moved to Washington, Utah, after retiring, and were soon serving again as Service Missionaries in the Church owned Cannery and as temple workers in the St George Temple. They found great new friends that became a family. They often referred to their time there as the greatest years of their life.

In 2019 because of health issues, they returned to Idaho, Ammon, where he lived until his passing.

Donald is survived by his sons, D. Ray Ellis of Ammon, ID and C. Roy Ellis (Judy) of Rigby, ID; daughter, Rita Joy Ellis of Ammon, ID; and sons, W. Ryan (Lisa) Ellis of Ririe, ID, Ross E. (Toni) Ellis of Idaho Falls, ID, and Robert L. (Mary) Ellis of Ririe, ID; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ireta Ruth Cook Ellis; his parents; his sister, Velma Terry; his brother, Kenneth Ellis; daughter-in-law, Karen Annette Ellis; two granddaughters, Whitnie Rae Harris and Misti Dawn Ellis Jacobson; two grandsons, Richard Bradley Storer and Chad C Storer.

A private family gathering will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, Ammon, ID. Friends are invited to visit with family immediately following until 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Grant-Central Cemetery, 154 N. 3300 E., Grant, ID.