Stephen, or Steve as he was known by many, was born on October 10, 1956, in American Fork, Utah, to Harold Bates and Helen Winder Ellison. He was the fifth of seven children. He attended schools in Lehi, Utah, and had fond memories of a childhood he would describe as perfect. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago and Wisconsin.

Stephen brought four vibrant, creative, and determined children into the world with his first wife Janice Fletcher. After that marriage ended in divorce, he married Stefani DeAdder on November 18, 1995,–almost making it to their 30th wedding anniversary.

Along with Stefani, Stephen made multiple trips to China and the Marshall Islands to adopt several of their children. He chose each beloved one and never regretted any of the “yeses” to be the father to all those who called him Dad. He loved his 19 children, and simply adored his 14 grandchildren. It is heartbreaking to consider the time these precious kids have now lost with their Grandpa, especially given that Stephen’s greatest legacy and love in life was his family.

Stephen would tug on his work boots and pull himself up in his big rig every morning at 3am and drive for hours each day so that he could provide for them. He made more trips to Disneyland than he ever would have chosen for himself. It was a great sacrifice for him as it was definitely not his happiest place on earth. But he did it because he knew it was for his family. This sacrifice was repeated for school concerts, countless doctor visits, endless paperwork of all kinds, and non-stop events his wife would drag him to. Stephen would give anything he had to anyone who asked, and his children quickly learned to ask Dad for something instead of Mom.

Stephen was loved and admired by so many in little towns and across the globe. He lived in Utah and on both ends of Canada where he collected friends like other people collect souvenirs. He was a storyteller and could tell entertaining stories that could far outlast any gathering. As much as they might have made us roll our eyes, these are the things we will now remember and delight in most. Stephen lived a big and impactful life, and the world is tremendously better because he was here. His immense contribution extends beyond death, as he continued to give as an organ donor.

Anyone who knew Stephen, knew he was always committed to being early to any event or engagement. In death, it would have been a gift for him to be late or even on time, but just like his time management, he chose to go early. We love him with every breath forever and for always, remembering him every day for the rest of our lives. We are grateful that the constant and grueling physical pain he carried is now gone. He has fought the good fight, but Team Ellison will grieve without him.

Stephen is survived by his wife Stefani, his children Brandon (Ashley), Brett, Sierra, Katie (Tyler) Thayer, Junior (Laura), Makayla (Gerren) Gishi, Shayna (Kaden) Griffin, Taisha, Robert, Stephen Aaron, Kara, Jaeya, Caden, Alexa (Isaac) Adams, Ammon “Boomer”, Meisyn, Kimberlen and William Ellison. He always included his granddaughter Aaliyah as he stood in as her dad for many years. He thoroughly delighted in his grandchildren Emerson, Ivor, Sylvie and Gunnar Ellison, Haydin, Sawyer and Sullivan Thayer, Kiaura, Mary-Steff and LJ Ellison, Aaliyah and Bodhi Griffin, Kru Carver and Grayson Ellison. He is also survived by his sister Sue Kimball and brothers Bruce, Ronald (Susie), Robert (Leone), and Michael (Wendy) Ellison. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Helen, and his brother Douglas Ellison. He cultivated a delightfully close relationship with his stepfather-in-law Keith ZoBell and his mother-in-law Donalda DeAdder ZoBell. Boomer reminds us every day that Grandpa Keith and Dad are together in heaven now.

Special thanks to Cedar Valley Funeral and Cremation for their outstanding care. A live stream of the service will be found at: https://cedarvalleyfuneral.com/obituaries/stephen-ellison

Stephen would often randomly ask “Who loves you?” followed by the accompanying response, “We do!” Finally, we call out to Stephen one last time, “Who loves you?” As always, the answer is “We do!”