Ellis M. Caldwell

COL Ellis M. Caldwell (U.S. Army, Retired) of Cheyenne passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, holding the hands of his beloved daughters.

Born September 27, 1933, in Evanston, Wyoming, he was the son of Cecil M. and Jennie Brown Caldwell. He grew up in Evanston and graduated from Evanston High School in 1951.

He joined the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1949 and was activated for duty during the Korean War with Company A, 141st Tank Battalion. He was discharged after it was discovered he was too young to serve. In 1954, he reenlisted in the Army National Guard with Battery C, 351st Armored Field Artillery Battalion. In 1957, he attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 27, 1957. He continued serving with the Evanston unit and was Battery Commander when he was hired as Battalion Training Officer in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966.

He married his high school sweetheart, Burva D. Cluff, on August 28, 1953, in Evanston. Together, they shared 67 wonderful years of marriage. During their years in Evanston, Ellis was active in the Evanston Junior Chamber of Commerce and served for 10 years as a member of the Evanston Volunteer Fire Department. He and Burva also shared a love of music and spent many summer evenings performing together in the Evanston City Band.

The family moved to Laramie in March 1967 and lived there until July 1968. They then moved to Cheyenne when Ellis was promoted to Training Officer with the 115th Field Artillery Group.

In Cheyenne, he served in a variety of assignments within the 115th Field Artillery Group and was serving as Group Executive Officer when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In October 1980, he assumed command of the Wyoming Army National Guard Command and Control Headquarters, consisting of eight subordinate units. He commanded the organization until October 1982, when he was transferred to the Wyoming National Guard State Area Command as Director of Plans, Operations, Training, and Military Support. He was promoted to Colonel in July 1983 and retired from military service in July 1988.

During his military career, he earned numerous awards and honors, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

He enjoyed snowmobiling and elk hunting, but fly fishing was his true passion. He was also an avid reader, always immersed in a novel and eager to pass along a favorite book to a family member. Following retirement, he and Burva traveled extensively and cherished time spent with their family, to whom they were deeply devoted. Of all the places they explored, the rugged wilderness of Alaska and the beautiful beaches of Cabo San Lucas were among their favorites. Yet no destination ever captured his heart quite like Wyoming, whose mountains, rivers, and wide-open spaces remained his favorite place on Earth. He and Burva spent many years enjoying weekends at their mountain trailer on Ox Yoke Ranch near Mountain Home.

While he loved the outdoors, nothing mattered more to Ellis than his family. Together, Ellis and Burva created a home in Cheyenne that was always filled with laughter, love, and a steady stream of visitors, from family barbecues to friends and relatives passing through for Cheyenne Frontier Days. His children and grandchildren knew they could always count on a Sunday afternoon phone call, and that no matter how busy he was, he would drop everything to show up for the people he loved. He and Burva never missed an opportunity to celebrate birthdays around the dinner table, gather with family for Wyoming football tailgates, or simply enjoy a Thursday morning breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

Ellis and Burva were devoted supporters of their children's passions and pursuits. A talented trumpet player himself, Ellis passed his lifelong love of music on to all four of his children, a legacy that would eventually produce two music educators and a professional musician. Along the way, they became familiar faces at Central High School and later at the University of Wyoming, spending years attending concerts, performances, and events as their children pursued their own musical interests.

That commitment never faded. Ellis officiated the weddings of three of his granddaughters and never missed a graduation, wedding, recital, sporting event, or significant milestone if he could help it. In his later years, few things brought him greater joy than holding, spoiling, and getting to know each of his 10 great-grandchildren, whose lives were enriched by his steady presence, quiet wisdom, and unconditional love.

He believed strongly in protecting the environment and preserving Wyoming's wild places and wildlife. He was a member of The Nature Conservancy, Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Trout Unlimited, National Guard Association of the United States, Wyoming National Guard Association, and the University of Wyoming Cowboy Joe Club.

Ellis is survived by his son, John R. Caldwell and wife Sharon of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter Debra K. Cornelio and husband Frank of Casper, Wyoming; daughter Christi L. Winslow and husband Kelly of Erie, Colorado; and daughter Cindy L. Ecker and husband David of Westminster, Colorado. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Tony Cornelio, Brandon Cornelio, Sarah Cornelio Green, Stephanie Winslow-Sell, Danielle Moore, and Kendra Winslow; 10 beloved great-grandchildren; three nephews; and four nieces.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Burva; his parents; and his brothers, Vincent Caldwell and Larry Caldwell, and his sister, Luella Little.

A private celebration of life will be held this summer in Evanston, where his ashes will be interred next to the love of his life, Burva.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy or the Wyoming Wildlife Federation in his honor. The greatest lessons Ellis left behind were simple: serve others, show up for your family, and never leave important words unsaid. In his memory, please take a moment to thank a service member and tell someone you love how much they mean to you.