Leslie Clay Ely
August 20, 1946 - September 18, 2026

Les' "Cowboy" Ely, 80, passed away in his home on Friday September 18, 2026. Born August 20, 1946 to Frank Ely and Cora Johnson Lewis in Dryden VA, he was a retired carpenter and project superintendent, known for his skill, his work ethic and his willingness to teach others the trade.
To his friends he was "Cowboy ", a nickname he earned from his hat, which was rarely far from his head. He loved fishing, classic country music, and a good story, and he lived life at full volume. Les was a loving father, grandfather, uncle and brother.

He is preceded in death by his father Frank Ely of Dryden VA; mother Cora Johnson Lewis of Vero Beach FL; his daughter Tamara Hope Ely of Chesapeake VA; and his brother Carl Glennis Ely of Monrovia IN.

He is survived by his brother Dana Bruce Ely of Portsmouth VA; his daughter Chrystal Ely Osceola of Okeechobee FL; and his son Frank Leslie Ely of Citrus Springs FL.
He is also survived by granddaughters Nikki Smith Bailey(Chris) of Courtland Canada; Michelle Smith of San Antonio TX; and Angel Ely Woods Mareno(Mario) of Harrisonburg VA; and his grandsons Kevin Smith (Murielle) of Okeechobee FL; Justin Rhodes of Vero Beach FL; Alex Ely Woods of VA; and Logan and Parker Ely of Citrus Springs FL.
Also surviving are his nieces Liliana Arrington (Darrell Fishel) of Portsmouth VA; Tiffany Marie Thurmond (Sean Sexton) of Norfolk VA; Amber Dawn Ely (David Rodriguez) and his nephew David Allen Ely of Norfolk VA.

The family will receive friends from 12:00PM to 1:00PM Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Pennington Gap Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Johnson Family Cemetery in Dryden. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Les' "Cowboy" E;y and his family are in the care of Jones-Pennington Gap Funeral Home.