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R. Hugh Ellis

Aug 1, 1938 - May 11, 2013
Hugh Ellis, 74, of Riverton died on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Wind River Health Care. As were his wishes cremation will take place, interment has taken place at Mountain View Cemetery, and no services will be held.

Rupert Hugh Ellis was born August 1, 1938 in Wheatland, WY, second child of Rupert F. “Doc” and Bernice Ivy (Besack) Ellis. He was educated in Torrington public schools. After the Holly Sugar Corp transferred his father to Riverton in 1954, he graduated with class of 1956 from Riverton High School.

During high school, he worked as a “printer’s devil” in the old molten lead process of the semi-weekly Riverton Ranger. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Wyoming school of Journalism, while going to school; he worked as a reporter for the Laramie Boomerang.

He returned to Riverton in 1960, was a reporter in the Ranger newsroom when that newspaper went daily in August of 1960. He served as editor of the Kemmerer Gazette from 1962 to autumn of 1965.

He returned to Laramie in 1966 to work as a publications editor for the UW College of Agriculture, at the same time earning a B.S. degree in journalism. Transferring to graduate studies in Political Science, he qualified for a public administration internship in New York State government.

Living in Albany, NY from 1969 through 1977, he held administrative positions at the Narcotic Addiction Control Commission and the Department of Social Services. Moving to New York City in 1978, he worked eight years for the NYS Department of Mental Hygiene at 2 World Trade Center – referred to as the “south building” in the 9/11 attack.

In 1988, he moved to Seattle to participate in the fringe theater scene and creative writing activities at Seattle Central Community College. As time went on, he served a term on the Board of Directors of Pike Market Senior Center.

After the death of his sister in Laguna Beach, CA and of a cousin in Seattle, he returned to Riverton in the spring of 2001.

His favorite charity in Riverton was the PAW for Life, which operates the city’s animal shelter. He was an avid baseball fan.

Among his fondest recollections was in the company of other Wyoming editors having lunch at the White House with President John F. Kennedy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Bette Ellis Blake.

He survived by two nephews and three nieces in California.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.