Morgan David Ellis
Born 3/2/1981 in Anchorage, Alaska Died 9/23/2018 near Denver, Colorado
Morgan went missing in Roxborough State Park near Denver, Colorado in September of 2018. His remains were recovered on April 28, 2019.
Morgan was born in Alaska and lived there with his family until they moved back to “the lower 48” when he was 7 years old. The family settled in the Silver Valley to be close to family. Morgan attended Canyon Elementary, Kellogg Middle School, and graduated from Kellogg High School. He then attended North Idaho College before joining the Army where he trained to be a medic. He served at a field hospital in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and then completed his Army tour in San Antonio, Texas where he continued working as a nurse at the Brooke Army Medical Center. It was there that he met his future wife Reka and future daughter Cheyenne. After marrying in Dallas, Texas, the couple was graced with their second daughter, Sophia. Morgan’s family was, in his own words, “the absolute light of my life”.
Morgan earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked many years as an RN. He loved learning, and was just completing his Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Data Analytics when he passed away.
The family made the move to the Denver area 6 years ago to get “back to the mountains”. Morgan had a great love of the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking the trails and “adventuring” with his family in the many nearby parks in Colorado.
Morgan was also an accomplished cook and baker and enjoyed putting on a feast for holidays and celebrations.
Morgan was a very devoted husband and father and took great pride in the accomplishments of his wife, who recently completed her PHD in psychology, and daughters Cheyenne, 16 and Sophia, 9. In addition to his wife and daughters, Morgan leaves behind his mother Kathy McPherson of Cataldo, step-father Tom McPherson of Kellogg, father and step-mother Bill and Carolyn Ellis of Eagle River, AK, and brothers William (Danny) Ellis and family of Spanaway, WA, and Andrew McPherson and family of Monument, CO. Morgan was also blessed with step-brothers,Travis and Michael McPherson, Brian McDougall, step-sister Melissa Tasselli and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and extended family. Morgan’s kindness and silly sense of humor will be remembered lovingly by his family and friends.
A military memorial will be held at Ft. Logan in Denver on July 9th followed by a scattering of ashes in Roxborough Park, south of Denver and a family remembrance of life at the family home in Englewood. May his spirit fly with eagles.