- Date Of Birth: April 12, 1925
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2022
- State: Utah
Philip E. Ellgen, residing at The Gables Assisted Living in Brigham City, Utah, passed away on February 7, 2022 at the age of 96.
Born April 12, 1925, Philip grew up on a ranch near the small town of Craig, Colorado. At 18, he joined the Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific during WWII, specifically on Guam and Iwo Jima, where he was wounded. After earning two Purple Hearts and being honorably discharged, he returned home and trained to receive his private pilot’s license while also working on the family ranch with his brother until his marriage to Hilda Faye Seldomridge in June 1950. They are parents to five children: Richard P. Ellgen (deceased 1974), Jo Ann Ellgen Vernon (Clair), Jean Ellgen Willmore (Robert), Janice Ellgen, and Jill Ellgen Kinney (Robert), and are blessed to have 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. They raised their children with moral values and a strong work ethic, and are so grateful for the blessings of their posterity. His children so appreciated his sweet and loving dedication to their mother.
Philip worked in ranching, real estate, and construction (owning his own construction company early in his career). He could fix and build anything, including an airboat that their young family thoroughly enjoyed. He was a gardener until his early 90’s and was always available to help others with odd jobs. Being an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had many callings including various positions in Scouting, serving on High Council, and as Bishop. Later in life, one of Philip and Faye’s favorite callings was serving six years in the Ogden Utah Temple. In Colorado, they lived in Craig, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Paonia, and Maybell. And their Utah homes were in Vernal, Logan, Roosevelt, Perry, Hyrum, and Brigham City.
