Pete Ellsworth

Morley "Pete" Ellsworth died Wednesday morning, May 8, 2013 at Sierra Blanca Nursing Center in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 84 years old. Pete was born on December 4, 1928 in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona to his parents, the late Whittie and Blanche (Moody) Ellsworth. Pete married his forever sweetheart, Elizabeth "Betty Jo" Warner on July 26, 1946. They most recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary together. Pete was a longtime employee for the Arizona Department of Transportation. When he retired, he was a Maintenance Supervisor. Also, throughout his long life, Pete was a rancher and was a rodeo cowboy. He won the Arizona Rodeo Association (ARA) State Championship for bullriding and bulldoging. Pete worked some time for AG Credit and enjoyed working there more than any other place. He always looked forward to traveling throughout the state to visit with other cattlemen to count their livestock and strengthen friendships. Wherever he wore his hat, Pete was well-liked and respected for his personal integrity. Pete also loved his dogs. He always looked forward to taking them on mountain lion and black bear hunts. Some years back, Pete held the Arizona record for black bear, narrowly missing the national record by 1/8th of an inch. Pete is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Ellsworth of Show Low, Arizona; 2 sons: Wes (Charlie) Ellsworth of Show Low, Arizona, Flynn Ellsworth of Show Low, Arizona; 1 sister, Zola Rova of Show Low, Arizona; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, Pete was preceded in death by a son, Larry Ellsworth, 3 brothers: Lamell Ellsworth, Larry Ellsworth, Monroe Ellsworth and by a sister, Lavina Trulock. The visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 18, 2013, also at the church, where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.