Thomas Charles Ellingson

Ellingson, Thomas Charles of Shell Beach and Fullerton California, passed away on June 30, 2010 after a lengthy illness. Born on June 7, 1921, Tom spent his early years in Minnesota as the only child of Nils and Esther Ellingson. After one year at the University of Minnesota, Tom enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Navy pilot as WWII began. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant, flying SBD Divebombers and F4U Corsairs. On a training mission he crashed his aircraft and was hospitalized, where he fell in love with his nurse, Irene Carlson. They married and had three children together; Julie (Stichter), Steven and Rick. Irene preceded her husband in death in 1953. Tom was a businessman in the 40's post-war history of Fullerton, beginning Ellingson Tool and Die Company in 1946 on Santa Fe Ave. Some of his early projects included making prototype parts for the electric guitar that Leo Fender invented and for the ball valve invented by Landis Perry (used in Delta Faucet). Tom was gifted as a toolmaker and through his skill in match-metal mold making he gained much respect and success in his business which has changed hands to his sons. Ellingson Inc. has evolved into a highly technical company that manufactures parts for the aerospace industry. It brought him great pride to know what his small beginnings in Fullerton had become. During his later years in Shell Beach, Tom and his longtime partner, Dorothy Burbridge, enjoyed traveling together, making freinds, bird watching, reading history, photography, working with his computer and watching ocean sunsets at the beach cliff park by his home. Tom loved Dottie, daughter, Julie (husband, Ken); sons, Steve (wife, Elaine) and Rick (wife, Nancy); as well as his 0 grandchildren, Mark, Todd, Jennifer, Leslie, Stacy, Matt, Brad, Emily, and Madeline. He felt lucky to have Karli, Andria, Daniel, Juliann, Mason, Logan, and Emma Grace as great-grandchildren. Tom will be missed and had been loved. Graveside Services Tues. July 6th at 10a.m. Loma Vista Memorial Park. McAulay & Wallace assisted the family.