Ellis Tait

Ellis Lavoye Tait Obituary/Eulogy

Our dad, Ellis Lavoye Tait, age 88, died on July 30, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on July 16, 1936 to William Carson and Lavenia Healey Tait.

Dad served 2 deployments in the US Army. He was very proud of his time of being in the service.

Dad married our mom, Alice Louise Hoesch on December 23, 1968.

After moving to Vernal, Dad worked many years in the timber cutting and logging for Crofts. This is where Dad gained his passion for the mountains and his hobby of getting wood. Getting wood is what he lived for. Us kids loved riding on top of an overfull truck of wood throughout the year. During the winter months, Dad would know the schedule for the logging trucks and take the children to the top of the mountain; we would then ride all the way down the mountain on runner sleds.

After the timber, Dad drove a pilot car, water truck, and his favorite which was his wench truck that he drove for many years for Dalbo/A-1 Tanks. Dad loved fishing, hunting, and camping with family. Mom and Dad spent all summer on the mountain in their home away from home. On the mountain Dad also enjoyed riding 4 wheelers and helping with the Stringham Cabin.

Dad was a fan of the Utah Jazz and BYU football.

Mom and Dad enjoyed day trips to the farm feeding Goose Goose and watching the cows. Dad was very fond of the cows.

Dad delighted in taking his family on vacations every summer. Lagoon, the zoo, and the water park-then down south to visit with family.

After the kids were grown Mom and Dad would often take trips down south throughout the year. Dad cherished spending time with his brother, Theo, and all those down south. He loved sharing the history of his home town with everyone. Dad always wanted to be with family. Whether it be holidays, on the mountains, or just at home, Dad lived for company. He had so much fun with the grandkids. Dad has 30 grandkids and 52 great grandkids.

Dad loved going to the temple and serving for years at the ward cannary.

Dad is preceded in death by our mom, the love of his life; his mom; dad; and siblings; sons, Danny and Carson; daughter Sherri; grandsons Levi, Tyler, and Larry Dwayne.

He is survived by his children, Mike (Teresa) Davis of Vernal, UT; Kathleen (Joel) Herron of Baxter, TN; Jimmy Davis of Cookeville, TN; Cynthia (Jeff) Shiner of Vernal, UT; Billy (Marianne) Tait of Vernal, UT; Victoria (Glen) Ruppe of Vernal, UT; Ellis (Claudia) Tait of Vernal, UT; and Jolene (Charley) Mohar of Vernal, UT.

Services will be held Thursday August 8th at 11:00 am in the Ashley 3rd Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 235 East 600 South in Vernal.

A viewing will be Wednesday, August 7 from 6 to 8 pm at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and at the church Thursday from 9:45-10:45 am.

Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the care of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.