Richard Mount Ely, 92, a resident of Peoria, Arizona, entered into heaven on September 12, 2020, in his home with his beloved family. Richard was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and spent his childhood in the quaint town of Cranbury, New Jersey. He and brother Franklin were the children of John Warren Ely and Katherine Kells Ely, as well as step-mother, step-sibling and half-sister Hazel, Walter and Joan, respectively.
Following high school, he joined the Army and was proud to serve. He was assigned to Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. When Richard was honorably discharged he spent time both at home and in California. He hitch-hiked across the country from California back to New Jersey and went to work at Ridge Door, a builder and supplier of doors. He met his first wife, Elsie, there and they married and settled down in the small town of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Elsie encouraged him to apply to New Jersey Bell Telephone and he began his career there. In 1970, he and Elsie decided they needed a warmer climate and Richard transferred to Mountain Bell in Phoenix, Arizona. He was a cable repairman for 35 years. He and Elsie were married for 36 years until her passing in 1993.
He enjoyed Arizona’s outdoor life by fishing, hunting and camping. He was able to pull a tag for hunting antelope and was proudly successful that year in getting “Arnie the Antelope.” He spent many a cold morning duck hunting on Mormon Lake too.
In retirement Richard enjoyed golfing with friends twice a week into his late 80s. He shared some of his retirement time reading to elementary school children and delivering “Meals on Wheels.” He also continued shooting trap and skeet with his buddies each week. He won the Arizona Gold Metal for skeet shooting in the 80+ category.
During his fun-filled retirement, he met his current wife, Elaine (Crawford), at the emergency room where they both volunteered their time. They have been married for 14 years and enjoyed traveling to California, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania for leisure and seeing family.
His greatest joy was his family. He loved the holidays, weekend family get-togethers and birthday parties. Richard leaves behind his sister Joan Conover, wife Elaine, children Launa (Bob) Sprouls, Carol Ann (Bill) Nelson, Bonnie (Don Watson) Simpson; Renee’ (Jerry) Williams, Heather (Sam) Burton; grandchildren Chris (Adrianna) Sprouls, Kevin (Elizabeth) Sprouls, Chanel (Andy) Rumpeltes, Katherine Burton, Samantha (John) Tyke, Jennifer (Jason) Kramer, Brittany Coble and Bradford Simpson; great grandchildren Ian, Madeline, Owen, Reagan, Jolee, Alina, Ezra, Elijah and Shawn.
Richard is preceded by his first wife Elsie, brother Franklin, step-brother Walter, and parents, John Warren Ely, Katherine Kells Ely and step-mother Hazel Ely.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to the American Cancer Society.
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