Joe Ellett

Joe Ellett was born in Yarnaby, Oklahoma on January 16, 1926. Father Jake was a pharmacist and mother Ruth was a long-term teacher, in whose shoes Joe was destined to follow. Right after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served our country during World War Il and the Korean War. Joe then took advantage of the G.I. Bill and earned his Bachelors Degree in Education from Southeastern Oklahoma University. Struggling through the lean years of the late 40's and 50's on a teacher's meager salary, Joe and wife Pat had four children.

Joe's distinguished career in education began in the small town of Bledsoe, Texas, where he taught high school for about three years. He then moved the family to Coolidge, Arizona, where he worked as a high school Biology and Math teacher for 13 years. During these years of raising his growing family, he was still able to find the time and energy to receive his Masters Degree in Education at Arizona State University. From Coolidge, he took a job at Mojave High School in Bullhead City where he was a counselor and assistant principal for 15 years. He continued to educate and mentor students when he moved to Tacna, Arizona where he ultimately was principal for seven years until he retired. He was active in high school sports throughout his career.

After retirement, Joe and Pat gave into wanderlust and spent many summers traveling in their luxurious motor coach wherever their hearts desired. ln 1992, they finally settled in Mesquite, Nevada to be near their family. Eldest daughter Vicki Ann is today a nurse in the Las Vegas valley. Second child Conni Jo works for the City of North Las Vegas; and Cindee, the youngest, lives in Henderson and works part-time in a surgical center. Son Danny Joe Ellett passed away in 2000 at the age of 46. Besides his wife and three daughters, Joe leaves behind six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His youngest great grandson, Tyler Joe Ellett, will carry on the family name.

Joe passed away with his loving family by his side, two weeks to the day from a devastating diagnosis of tumors in his brain and chest.

A memorial service will be held in Boulder City, Nevada on October 31 at noon at Hemenway Park, 401 Ville Drive in Boulder City, Nevada. A reception to celebrate Joe's life will be held following at the home of Steve & Conni Hansen at 1344 Chestnut Lane, Boulder City.

The family requests donations be made to the Virgin Valley Hospice in Mesquite, Nevada. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.