Baker City, Oregon
Robert Wayne “Gootch” Ellis, 80, died Feb. 1, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
At the family’s request there will be no funeral. A viewing is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Robert was born in Baker City, on May 25, 1923, to Charles and Florence Ellis.
He attended Baker schools and was a 1941 Baker High graduate. He enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, football, and track in his younger years. He served two tours of duty in the U.S. Navy before and during World War II. He logged 314,000 nautical miles on the U.S.S. Nassau aircraft carrier.
He married Leona Ray, the love of his life, in August of 1946, and celebrated 50 years of marriage with her.
Robert worked at Lew Bros. Tires and later as a custodian at Baker High School and the Baker School District office building.
He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family and later on with his grandchildren. He had a passion for elk hunting and looked forward in anticipation to opening day.
He had a gift for telling humorous stories to his family and friends. Robert liked to watch sports on TV, especially college basketball. He will be missed.
Survivors include his sons, Terry, and his wife, Raylene, of Pendleton, and Stan and his wife, Lori, of Baker City; grandsons, Daniel, and Raymond and his wife, Jessica, of Pendleton; granddaughter, Tarah of Eugene; great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Hailey; and a nephew, Mike Ellis of Pendleton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Florence Ellis; a brother, Charles “Chick” Ellis; and his wife, Leona Ellis, all of Baker City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 6, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor