Darrel Clifton Ellis
Born: May 20th, 1950
Died: February 18th, 2023
Obituary
Darrel who many knew as Buster, Bus, Bussy or Pops was born to Lefty and Irene Ellis on May 20, 1950 while living in Shafter, California. His family moved shortly thereafter to Bakersfield where he lived all of his life except for a couple years he lived in Porum, Oklahoma in the 90’s. He attended Beardsley Elementary School and graduated from North High School in 1968.
He worked a variety of jobs including Oildale Tire, Kern Backhoe Service, Ellis Backhoe Service, Surface Pumps, Guinn Construction, Stidham Trucking, Golden Construction but he was best known for being one of the best backhoe operators in the area during the 80’s, something that made him very proud. He also loved driving “big” trucks whether his own, for R.L Wheat or Stidham Trucking. On the road is where he loved to be.
He always loved cars, trucks and motorcycles whether riding, racing or working on them. In the 70’s there were dune buggies & drag racing, the 80’s were three-wheelers and horses, the 90’s were his grandchildren, RC Cars, horses & motorcycles and then in 2002 he bought his Harley Davidson Night Train “Jake” and shared his passion with his grandson Cody Wayne until his passing. Having rode Jake for his last time with the help of his grandson on February 8, 2023.
He passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 18, 2023. His passing was unexpected although he had had many health issues over the past year. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Jewel “Lefty” and Irene Ellis and is survived by his brother Donald Ellis & wife Jody, his daughters, Diane Wurster and Jennifer Utt & husband Ryan, his three grandchildren (his pride and joy), Cody Wayne Wurster, Ande Lynne Moreland & husband Kelsey and Bradley Ryan Utt & wife Courtney. He is also survived by his two great-grandsons, Westen Wurster and John Moreland and his great-granddaughter Rylee Utt (born 2/25/23), unfortunately God took him home before meeting her. He is also survived by many Tolbert & Ellis cousins and close friends.
Graveside services will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Shafter Memorial Park and a visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Peter’s Funeral Home on 844 East Lerdo Highway, Shafter, California.