Obituary: Warren ‘Bud’ Ely

Warren “Bud” Ely, 85, of Laramie, Wyo., died Monday, May 11, 2009, of complications from heart surgery.
Bud was born in Meeker, Colo., on July 12, 1923. The second son of Carl and Clara (Warren) Ely, he and his brother Ray were raised on the family ranch up Strawberry Creek outside of Meeker. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II, receiving two bronze stars. At the end of the war, he returned to Meeker where he met Laura B. Straight. They were married Dec. 9, 1945, in Denver. Their meeting and life together was a true love story. Bud and Laura raised two daughters, Sandee and Connie.
The family lived in Grand Junction and Rangely, Colo., and Vernal, Utah, before moving to Denver in 1958 where Bud worked in management for Ringsby Truck Lines. In 1971 they moved to Laramie where he managed TWX, Trans-Western Express Truck Lines, retiring from the company in 1988.
Bud and Laura enjoyed the outdoors, spending time traveling in their travel trailer. In the years following Laura’s death in 1992, he spent time visiting over lunch with his daughters, following grandkids’ sporting activities, school programs and helping all of them with whatever they needed. One of his greatest enjoyments was the time he spent hunting and fishing with his grandsons. His lessons taught and stories will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his brother Ray of California; daughters, Sandee Ely, Denver and Connie (Mark) Palmer, Laramie; two grandsons, Jack (Lisa) Eva, Laramie and Joey (Megan) Turner, Denver; two granddaughters, Sheila (Steve) Ruegge, Denver and Carrie Turner, Laramie; five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Casey Eva, Jordon and Cale Ruegge and Morgan Hansen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Family services will be conducted at a later date.