September 17, 1925 – November 14, 2010
Col. Carl T. Ellis, Jr., (Retired), 85, passed away peacefully at home in Dawson, Texas on Sunday, November 14, 2010 after a long illness. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m, Thursday, November 18, 2010 at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors Chapel with Mr. Jim Martin officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Rusk County Memorial Gardens in Henderson, Texas. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the funeral home.
Carl was born September 17, 1925 in Montague County, Texas to Carl, Sr. and Gwendolyn Ellis. He was a resident of Waco, Texas from 1974 to 2009. He was a member of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco and recently, the Dawson Church of Christ. Carl was raised in Henderson, Texas and graduated from Henderson High School in 1942. While in high school, he lettered in football, basketball, and tennis. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Corps he served two years in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1946. That same year he entered Kilgore Jr. College on a football scholarship and was a part of the team that played in the “Little Rose Bowl” in Pasadena, California. While at Kilgore College, he met Mary Jean Florey of Kilgore and they were married on July 18, 1947. They were married for 61 years before her death in August, 2008. After graduation from Kilgore College, he played football and baseball for Kansas University where he received his degree in 1948. In 1979, he received his Masters of Education from Tarleton State University.
Carl held numerous coaching and teaching jobs in Kansas and Texas. Among those were Grand Prairie High School, La Vega High School, Richfield High School and Kilgore College. He returned to active military service in 1964 where he served until his separation in 1973. While in the United States Army, he served two tours in Vietman and was stationed at Fort Hood, Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. In 1986, he retired from teaching, coaching and as a Colonel in the United States Army. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling, golf, fishing, and their grandchildren. After the death of his wife, he moved to Dawson with his son’s family and his precious dog, Daisy.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 61 years, Jean; and his youngest son, David Lenn Ellis.
Carl is survived by two sons, Neil W. Ellis and wife, Mary, of Columbia, South Carolina and Hugh F. Ellis and his wife, Jo Beth, of Dawson, Texas; six grandchildren, Mary Beth Ellis Driskell and husband, Byron, of Sugar Land, Mary Faith Ellis of Columbia, South Carolina, Joanna Ellis of Sugar Land, Chris Ellis of Charleston, South Carolina, Matt Ellis of Columbia, South Carolina, and Laura Ellis of Dawson. He was blessed with three great grandchildren, Olivia Driskell, Griffin Ellis, and Ian Driskell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Connally-Compton Funeral Directors, Waco, TX.
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