Charles Sumner "Skip" Ela
Obituaries
Daily Sentinal6 page 7B - May 1
Charles
“Skip” Ela
December 23, 1928
- April 8, 2022
Charles Sumner (Skip)
Ela passed away in the
caring comfort of Hope
West Hospice on April 8th
after a brief illness. He was
93, the youngest and last
surviving of five remarkable Ela brothers, sons of W.D.
and Lucy Ferril Ela of Grand Junction. His brothers
took him to the circus when he was eight where he was
fascinated by a clown named Skippy. He adopted the
name and has been known as Skip or Skippy ever since.
Skip grew up in Grand Junction. He graduated from
Grand Junction High School in 1947, took classes at
Mesa Junior College and then served in the US Air
Force for four years. He returned to Grand Junction
after his honorable discharge to help care for his ailing
father. Skip spent two summers working in Yellowstone
National Park where his brother, Tom, was a ranger
before starting a career with Mountain Bell, the phone
company. That job took him to Aspen in 1963 where
he has resided until this year, becoming a fixture in the
Aspen community. His working career finished with 15
years at the Snowmass Ski Area working for the Aspen
Ski Company.
Skip loved living in Aspen. He had lots of golfing
buddies there and, in particular, valued the friends he
made as a longtime member of the Aspen Elks Lodge.
He was also a proud member of the Eagles and Masons.
Skip greatly appreciated the help he got from his fellow
Elks as he got to be older and frailer. A case of his
favorite Budweiser appeared on his doorstep for his
93rd birthday. Skip was able to live independently as
long as he did thanks to those friends and to his caring
neighbors. Also much appreciated was the kind help
he received in his final days from the St. Mary’s ICU
staff and the Hope West staff as well as the staff at The
Lodge assisted living facility.
Skip was preceded in death by his brothers, Capt.
D.K. Ela (USN), Thomas F. Ela (US Park Service),
Wendell P. Ela (USMC, killed in action WWII) and
Judge William M. Ela. He is survived by 11 nieces and
nephews and their extended families. A celebration of
Skip’s life will be held in Aspen at a later date.
