Rick passed away Monday, December 7th, 2020. Rick hit the ground running on March 3rd, 1957, in Thermopolis, Wyoming; the son of Clyde and MaryAnn (Berry) Ellison.
The fun started when he married Dahna Bartz in Hardin, Montana on May 14th, 1982. They popped out a kid, Michael L. Ellison on May 3rd, 1984.
Rick learned the mechanic and carpentry trades from his father and brothers.
They ran a successful contruction company in Hardin, Montana, for many years. Rick was a member of the Montana Carpenter's Union working on many projects in Big Horn County, Montana.
No, he did not cut his finger off at work, he lost that in a toy box making project for his son.
He spent his life teasing little kids with that stub of a finger-"here, pull my finger".
In 1987 Rick picked up and moved his family to Tucson, Arizona, in his 1966 Ford pickup with all their crap piled on the back.
He took a job doing maintenace for some rich guy. The family got sick of the heat and packed up once again in the '66 Ford pickup, with a flatbed trailer, and headed to Lovelock, Nevada, to work with his father-in-law Mr. Bill.
Rick landed a cushy, crusher mechanic, job with Coeur Rochester and was just getting ready to retire. Coeur will miss him.
Rick was a stern boss, well-respected by all who worked with him, but would literally give the shirt off his back for anyone.
Rick's garage was a testament to what he loved to do when he wasn't working. He had enough tools in there for three mechanics. He and his son were always tinkering on something or creating some contraption that was barely street legal.
Rick's love of racing turned into a lifelong family hobby.
The Ellison Team was established, Dahna-Manager, Mike-Driver, Rick-Crew Chief. Ellison Racing funded and encouraged so many young drivers.
They may have parked their cars but their love of the sport never ceased with Mike still flagging races all around the area. His garage was his office and the door was always open for family and friends.
There was always a race car being worked on; an engine being ignored; and something on the drawing board to be created.
He was constantling tinkering on his wife's '66 Ford truck.
Rick and Mike had a very special father-son bond. Rick taught Mike everything he knew, and then some.
Rick and Mike talked about the day when Rick would retire from Couer and the projects they'd finish up.
Their plan was for Rick to go to work for the tow company, with Mike being his boss!
Rick made everything fun, with a loving tease, and enjoyed his family and friends going camping, racing, 4-wheeling, shooting, hunting, the mountains, kids. Rick loved kids and kids love "Uncle Icky".
Rick was predeceased in death by his parents, his brother Kerry, his fathers-in-law Charles Mobley and Lawrence Bartoshevich.
He is survived by his wife Dahna of 38 years and his son Michael; his brother Monty; his sisters Carmen (Brian) Habig, Rebecca (Chaz) Chumley; grand-daughter, Destiny Marie, neices and nephews — Kalya, Brendan, Kori, Kelli, Corrine, Megan, Angie, John, Robert, Larry, Elizabeth, and Michael, and then some. Many other kids that called him dad and grandpa - Matt, Joey, Jeffrey, Jeff, Travis, John and Shawna, the list goes on and on.
Rick's direct instructions were to be creamated and no stuffy funeral. He hated funerals. Pursuant to his wishes an "Ellison Family Wake" will be held at a later date when we will spread his ashes with the rest of the family on Freeze Out Point in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.
