Ellis DeWitt Cobb

A master woodworker and visionary whose desire was to teach, help others, and inspired a strong work ethic, Ellis DeWitt Cobb, 80, of Longmont, CO passed away on January 1, 2012. The second of three sons born to George F. Cobb and Ione Elliott Cobb, Ellis was born on a farm in rural Graham County, Kansas on September 3, 1931. He attended a one-room schoolhouse during his elementary school years in rural Luray, KS, and graduated from Luray High School in 1949. On November 17, 1952, he married Wilma Ann Davignon, his loving wife of over 59 years, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Damar, KS. Together, they moved their family to Longmont, CO in 1959 where they raised their seven children. In 1978, he moved his family to Durango, CO where he lived for over 28 years until his return to Longmont in 2007. His family, friends, and neighbors came to depend on his expertise and uncanny ability to solve a problem whether in any phase of construction, mechanics, or plumbing. He looked at these kinds of problems as a challenge to be overcome and the process of solving them to be enjoyed. If Ellis were going to spend time on a project, those working with him understood it would be done to perfection. In 1982, after suffering a stroke, Ellis learned to walk and use his left hand and continued working as a consultant, teaching others the trade of fine woodworking. He is survived by his wife Wilma Cobb of Longmont, CO, daughter Patty Cobb of Longmont, daughter Susan Davis (Frank) of Longmont, daughter Mary Calaci (Mike) of Longmont, daughter Nance Alcos (Milton) of Kailua-Kona, HI, son Christopher Cobb (Janie) of Pensacola, FL, 21 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and brother Richard Cobb of Dodge City, KS. He is preceded in death by his father George Cobb in 1958, daughter Tammy Cobb in 1978, brother Dennis Cobb in 1994, mother Ione Cobb in 2006, and son Edward Cobb in 2011. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Ahlberg Funeral Home in Longmont, CO. A reception will follow the memorial at Life Bridge Christian Church, on Hwy 66 and Gay St., Longmont.