Robert Jansson Ellis

Robert Jansson Ellis was born April 1, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Orson Hales Ellis and June Ingrid Jansson Ellis. He grew up in Woods Cross on his father’s dairy farm. His deep bass voice was recognized even from an early age in primary. He went to Viewmont High School where he sang in the Madrigals for 4 years, played football, and was active in the theater and drama department.

Rob served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Franco-Belgium Mission from 1969-1971. Soon after his return, he auditioned for and became the youngest member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and sang with them for 13 years, touring the world. His music has taken him to 32 countries and 37 states. 

Rob earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Utah where he also sang in the U of U a cappella choir. He sang in the chorus of the 1975 production of Saturday’s Warrior where he met a tall, beautiful, brunette. He maneuvered his way from the back row to the front row to be next to her because it was a tradition to stand and hold hands when they sang “The Circle of our Love” just before intermission. They began their courtship when the show ended and Rob and Diane Christofferson were later married March 25, 1977, in the Salt Lake Temple.

After graduating from the U, Rob took a different path in his career and became a General Contractor and carpenter, also working as a cabinet maker at Beehive Clothing Mill for 20 years.

Rob was the director of the Bountiful Chapter of Sweet Adelines, a women’s barbershop chorus, for several years. He also directed what came to be known as the Rob Ellis Men’s Choir for the Woods Cross City Memorial Day celebration for many years.

He served as young men advisor, counselor in the stake mission presidency, counselor in two different bishoprics, Sunday School teacher and various callings in the church. Scouting filled a large part of his service. He took pride in his Wood Badge training and participation in Philmont, NM. 

Rob was given the Woods Cross Citizen of the Year award in 2010. He also loved model toy trains and attended many train shows with his kids. A favorite memory of his grandchildren was sitting on the floor with him by the Christmas tree running the Christmas train with a steam engine around the tree. 

Thousands of people up and down the Wasatch Front and many other locations will remember Rob as a member of the Muddy Gutter Boys, a musical trio of his friends from his youth, consisting of Mike Willey on banjo, Bruce Kizerian on guitar and Rob, playing the stand-up bass. They played together entertaining hundreds of groups for 50 years.

Rob is survived by his wife Diane, children Natalie (James) Allison of Urbana, IL and their children Eli, Jonathan, Brian, and Michael; Allen (Crystal) of Lehi, UT and their children Kaitlyn, Halle, Danielle, Samantha, Charlotte and Andrew; Michelle (John) Aedo of Brentwood, CA and their children Daniel, Malia and Isaac; Lane (Nicki) of Salem, UT and their children Jace, Eliza, Livia, Bria, Laila and another baby girl due in February and Brian & Jody Jensen of Fair Oaks, CA and their children Haley, Ashley and Eva.

Also survived by siblings Kathy Preece, Layton; Virginia Swensen, Orem; Beverly (Russ) Baker, Pocatello, ID; Marvin (Joyce), Farmington; Lenore (Steve) Peterson, Woods Cross; and Lethia Smith.  

Preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the Woods Cross Stake Center, 2064 South 800 West, Woods Cross, Utah, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. before the service. A viewing on Sunday evening will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery. 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below. 

The family would like to thank the kind nurses at Lakeview Hospital who gave Rob such tender care during his last few days.