David McQuowen Ellison, Jr. was born on April 4, 1933, as one of three children of David M. Ellison, Sr. and Martha Ellington Ellison. His two siblings were Martha Ann Ellison Cunningham and Jane Ellison Quinn.
David completed his undergraduate studies at Sewanee Military Academy, graduating Cum Laude in 1950. He entered into Louisiana State University where he met and married the love of his life, Kathryn Gwin Ellison, and attended law school. He was active in ROTC at LSU where he served as Lt. Colonel and Battalion Commander. He was a member of the Pershing Rifles. He received his Juris Doctorate and AB degrees in 1957. He commenced practicing law in 1958 and continued for over 60 years. David served on the Louisiana State Law Institute for many years where he was chairman of the Expropriation Committee. He also served on the committee that drafted the Louisiana Mineral Code. He was active in trial work and specialized in mineral law and expropriation law. David was a member of the Baton Rouge Country Club, The City Club of Baton Rouge, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member of the American, Baton Rouge, and Louisiana State Bar Associations. He served as President of the Baton Rouge Green Association twice and was President of the Baton Rouge Parks & Recreation Foundation for two terms. He was a life member of the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association, and a Diamond Sponsor for Ducks Unlimited.
David is preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years, Kathryn Gwin Ellison, his sisters, and his parents. He is survived by his seven children of the marriage with Kathryn, namely Diane Ellison Kingman, wife of Brian Kingman, Kathryn Ellison Smith, wife of Anthony Smith, David M. Ellison, III, husband of Ann Ellison, William Charles Ellison, husband of Felicia Rabito Ellison, John Bennett Ellison, Robert G. Ellison, husband of Denise Ellison, and Oliver Scott Ellison, husband of Cindie Ellison. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren; Matt Kingman (Katie Kingman), Alex Kingman, Katie Ellison Leake (Andy Leake), Elizabeth Ellison Erbes (Casey Erbes), Calley Ellison Floyd (David Floyd), Ian Ellison, Sean Ellison, Kathryn Ellison Smith Whiteside (Jack Whiteside), Sam Smith, Ara Ellison, Emily Ellison, Ross Ellison, Erin Ellison, David Hall Ellison, Jack Ellison, Clayton Ellison (Charity Ellison), and Alise Ellison. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren, Hadley, Emery, Griff, Logan, Hannah, Charlotte, Ben, and Cece.
David has a passion for hunting and the outdoors including gardening and germinating oak trees
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church with services beginning at 11:30 am. A reception will be held in the church hall following the service. Honorary pallbearers include John W. Barton, Jr., John Walton Barton, III, John S. Kean, III, Scott Singletary, Dr. Eugene Berry, John Wayne Jewell, Judge Kevin Kimball, and Robert E. Wiemer, Sr.
The family would like to thank Artrees People, Mary Hillard, and Dr. Louis Minksey for their continued love and support.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Hospital or The American Lung Association in honor of David M. Ellison, Jr.
