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John Leroy Ellsworth

03/16/1935 - 12/20/2020
Interment: City of Mesa

Jonathan LeRoy Ellsworth (Dad), 85, of Mesa, Arizona, passed on December 20, 2020.  He was born to William Ronald Ellsworth and Eugenia Winifred Guthrie on March 16, 1935, in Mesa, Arizona. Dad graduated from Farmington High School and received a degree in Soil Chemistry from Brigham Young University.  His careers reflected his passion for developing potential.  This was evident in his Idaho farm, Arizona real estate developments and in the love and inspiration he showered on those he served as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He married our mother, Cecelia Eileen Ellsworth in 1955.  Dad is survived by Mom, and seven (7) children, Bryan (Sherri Jones), Timothy (Jennifer Hilton), Daniel (Linda Jensen), Shawna (Michael Jones), Kathleen (Michael Munroe), Rebecca (Jason Hansen), Ronald (Audra Brown), and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will join his parents and his beloved siblings Vaughn, Grant, Thelma, Winnifred, and Georgia for a blessed reunion on the other side of the veil this Christmas.

Dad loved Mom. He wanted only the best for her.  Nothing was as important to him as making her happy and being at her side.  In addition, he honored the role of father.  We will remember him as strong, gentle and patient.  He believed in us and taught us to look for the good in every person and situation.  He set an example of hard work and integrity as a pathway to success.   He had a delightful sense of humor and infectious laugh.  We loved to try to make him laugh until the tears ran down his cheeks, and he often obliged.

He loved the outdoors.  When he wasn’t working, he would try to slip away to lead scout hikes, camp with his family and spend time with his dearest fishing buddy, his brother Grant.  Even in their later years Grant and he would trek to Mexico for a chance to catch bass.

Dad was deeply spiritual and dedicated countless hours to church service.  In addition to the three (3) missions he served with our mom, he gave his heart and time to his ward family.  As a bishop he loved them deeply and cared for them as if they were his own.

Dad was a farmer, an entrepreneur, and real estate developer, but most of all he was a husband, father, and friend.  We will miss his smile, his relentless drive, his faith in our abilities and his quiet way of finding joy in the journey.

With all our love,

Johnny and Cecelia’s kids

A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. more information please see >>>>>>>>>> Facebook page.

Condolences

  • Uncle Johnny was the epitome of manhood. Quiet strength and an abundance of kindness. I rarely saw he and aunt Cecelia apart. Such a beautiful love story. We always thought our Ellsworth cousins had the perfect parents!

  • You could not ask for a sweeter kinder brother in Law than Johnny He was a very special man to all of us and any one he came in contact with he loved life. We loved him very much .

  • My condolences to you and your family. I enjoyed reading his obituary. He has a wonderful smile that you inherited. Merry Christmas

  • From Doug Kysar. Cecilia, I am so sorry that you have lost Johnny. I have a lot of wonderful memories of you folks from when we were all a little more carefree. My dad Vern said that we are all born and at some point we all go. When we do lose them the greatest honor is to say he was a real gentleman; that says all we need to know. It tells us how they treated their family, friends and faith. Johnny was a true gentleman. I sure wish I could be there with you at this time.

  • I love Johnny Ellsworth. I learned so much from him about humble leadership and that people are more important than procedure or protocol. I can still see that gregarious smile and know that he is serving and loving where is now resides. I count myself fortunate to also be his relative. My father, John’s first cousin passed just three days before him. Thank you, John for your wonderful life and to your family for sharing him with us.

  • I feel very fortunate to have spent time working, and fishing with my John ellsworth relatives I will be forever grateful to them.

  • Cheri Rice Gilbert

    I have fond memories of the Ellsworth family in the Grandview Ward many years ago. My condolences to Cecilia and the kids. Much love! Cheri

  • Loved Br Ellsworth. Loved His smile and gentleness.. John and Cecilia were amazing examples of how to love one another. So grateful for being able to meet him and have him in our congregation.

  • Uncle Johnny always so gentle soft spoken and loving. Girls have hero list and my Uncle Johnny shall forever be a hero to me. I felt loved and safe knowing he was on this earth with me.

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