John Richard Ellis (Sr.) Obituary

[Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, Seguin, TX, April 15, 2007]

John R. Ellis Sr.

April 14, 2007, John R. Ellis Sr., of Seguin, Texas, passed away with his family by his side. He was a champion till the end and left this world in peace and free of restraints.

John was born on Dec. 5, 1932, in Panhandle, Texas, on a dining room table in his parent's house. He was raised as an only child and enjoyed two parents and a small town that knew him well and loved him. He graduated from the University of North Texas in 1951. His life was hallmarked by four years of military service as a Naval aviator and 20 years in the Naval Reserve retiring as a Commanding Officer. After serving his country, John chose a career in the insurance and finance industry including many years with Sentry Insurance.

Always one to put others first, John was known as a caring, compassionate husband, father, stepfather, friend and neighbor. He was never at a loss for encouraging words and shared his vast knowledge willingly to enrich the lives he touched. His calming demeanor and loving generosity will be missed but not forgotten.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Ellis, five children: John R. Ellis, Jr. of Coppell, Texas, Becky Cagle of Arlington, Texas, Ann Ellis of Arlington, Texas, Cecile Webb of Coppell, Texas, and Janene Casey of Ft. Worth, Texas. He is also survived by four stepchildren and known by his 17 grandchildren as "GranJohn"

His wife, Mary Ellis, requests that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to his favorite charities, High Plains Children's Home, 11461 S. Western Amarillo, Tx. 79118, (800) 728-6581 www. hpch.org, Guadalupe Regional Hospice Services, 215 South Leonard Seguin, Texas 78155 (830) 401-7561 Memorial Tributes may be made online at www.mem.com.

Visitation will be Monday, April 16, 2007, from 5:30 until 9 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in the Goetz Memorial Chapel with interment to follow in Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.