TORRINGTON – Funeral services for John Roland Ellis, 81, will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday May 14, 2025, at the Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church with Pastor Nate Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery and the casket will be closed. John passed away May 2, 2025, at the Niobrara Community Hospital in Lusk after a valiant battle with ALS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Gracie’s Promise at 1437 Road 70 L-A Torrington, Wyoming 82240. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com
John was born February 29, 1944, in Hanna, Wyoming to John and Florence Ellis. John, also known as Andy or Swede to his close friends and family attended school at the ranch with his siblings Charlie, Bill and neighbor Bob Palmer. They were a spunky group and gave the young teachers some stories to tell. John stayed with the Schmale family in Medicine Bow to attend his senior year and graduated from Bow Basin High School. He returned to the ranch and began his lifelong career of ranching.
In 1964, John met Pat Middaugh at a country dance in Leo. They married in July. In 1966 they had Sherry and in 1969 Annie came along. John was very active in the community and was always more than willing to help the neighbors. He spent many days branding, shipping and any work that was needed. He especially enjoyed his time helping his lifelong friend Martin Sullivan at the Q and Shamrock. They all had many good days together and enjoyed what they did. In the winter, gathering wild horses with the Jarrards and Jim Irene was exciting and fun. They would gather them to the ranch and trail them to Medicine Bow. Many evenings were spent with a lot of laughing, blackberry brandy and good stories.
John was very musical and could play almost any instrument by ear. He, Darlene Herman and Karen Hiatt had a band. The Shirley Mountain Trio played at many country dances at the Leo Community Hall, The Virginian Hotel and many other places. They had a grand time entertaining people. John enjoyed his music and played his guitar and accordions up until the ALS made it so he couldn’t. During the tough times of the 1980s, he went to work at Arch Coal in Hanna and worked the night shift as well as all of the ranch duties during the day. He did this for two years. He made many very good friends while there. They continued to ranch at Difficulty Creek until 2004. They sold the ranch and purchased a ranch at Prairie Center. He continued with his community minded ways and always helped anyone that was in need.
In Carbon County, he was president of the Wyoming Grazing Board for many years and a very active member of Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. He along with his good friend John Cowdin produced the rodeo that was held in Medicine Boe for many years. After moving to Goshen County John continued in the Wyoming Stockgrowers for many years as well as the Goshen County Hospital Board, Goshen County Airport Board, Prairie Center Fire Department and served two terms as County Commissioner. John enjoyed his airplane and flying for many years. He soloed and acquired his pilot’s license May 26, 1975, in a Citabria. His good friend Les Larson was his instructor. He built and flew a Kit Fox, Heath Parasol and rebuilt a Bowers Fly Baby. He could be found buzzing around in his Super Cub or his Cessna 172 checking water and enjoying flying in general. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1972.
In 2016, John was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. The FAA awarded John the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2025, and he also received the Experimental Aircraft Association award for supporting their mission and programs. John lived his life with honesty, integrity and a large amount of grit. He had a huge zest for life and encouraged everyone around him to enjoy every moment. His girls will think of him every time they swing on their horses and see him in every sunset. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Don and sister Jean. His is survived by his with Pat of 61 years, his daughters; Sherry (Scott) White or Oelrichs, South Dakota and Annie (Joe) Campbell of Torrington, two brothers Hank “Charlie” of Torrington and Bill of Medicine Bow, lifelong friend Martin Sullivan of Marietta Oklahoma, many loved nieces, nephews and countless friends.
