Ernest Wells

In Salt Lake City, Utah on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, Ernest Stewart Wells slipped away to meet his sweetheart.  Born to Archie and Lily Wells on January 10, 1929 in Fort Benton, Montana.  At the age of 20, Ernest served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in France.

He served in the Air Force as a French translator in Amarillo, Texas where he met the love of his life.  After active duty Ernest entered the Air Force Reserves and served a combined time of almost 35 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

Ernest married Marilyn Rose Galvin in Whiteface, Texas April 4, 1953.  A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he and his wife were later sealed in the Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.   Unable to have children of their own he and Marilyn provided a loving home to two adopted children, Daniel (Maja) and Elizabeth Campbell (Corey).  He loved his family both immediate and extended and enjoyed family gatherings.

Ernest received a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree from the University of Texas.  He provided for his family by teaching French, Spanish and English, mostly at the college level in Arizona, Texas and Virginia.  He retired from Lee College while teaching in the Texas Prison System.

Ernest served his church in a myriad of ways. The position he held the longest was congregational leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Texas Prison System.

Ernest was diagnosed with colon cancer in June of this year and chose to fight it in spite of his age.  He passed away from complications after the surgery.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brother, wife and daughter and is survived by his son.

There will be a graveside service at 11 AM on August 19th at the Eastland Cemetery in Eastland, Texas.  A memorial service will be held on August 20th at 11 AM in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1803 19th Street, Huntsville, Texas.