Arthur Lawrence Ellis, 79, of London, Ky., lost his battle with cancer on May 25, 2010.
Arthur was born in Austin on Feb. 13, 1931, to Clarence and Nellie (Parcel) Ellis. He was the 13th child of 14 children. He was raised on a farm, and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War for two tours. While courageously serving his country, he was awarded several medals, which included: the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Silver Star. He also received two Purple Hearts for injuries he received during the war. He was a retired contractor, in business for 33 years, serving the Sacramento, Calif., area. He taught woodshop for Ponderosa High School, served as Scout Master, and was Director of Operations for the Grizzly Flats Water District. He was a member of East London Baptist Church. He was active in Keenagers and Body Recall, and he loved to fish, hunt, garden and travel while his health permitted.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Adam Ellis; brothers, Leroy Ellis, Harold Ellis, George Ellis, Herbert Ellis, Robert Ellis, and Clyde Ellis; sisters, Infant Ellis, Grace Weiss, Virginia Dunfee, Clara Curtain, and Dorothy Dreschel.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Tresa Landers Ellis; his daughters and spouses, Teresa Ellis of Yosemite, Calif., Shirley (Jeff) Matthews of Orangevale, Calif., Ginger (Craig) Shulman of Long Beach, Calif., and Norlaine (Roger) Hensley of Afton, Ten.; sons and spouses, Albert (Vickie) Ellis of Reno, Nev., Robert (Kim) Tavalero of Kathleen, Ga., John Roberts of Sacramento, Calif., Stuart (Sherri) Roberts of Atascadero, Calif., and Robert Roberts of London, Ky.; 17 grandchildren, Crystal Ellis, Michael Matthews, Christopher Matthews, William Ellis, Tiffany Matthews, Andrew Roberts, Forest Nylander, Alex Hensley, Abigail Roberts, Skyler Roberts, Jordan Roberts, Austin Hensley, Kelsey Tavalero, Justin Roberts, Isabella Shulman, Jayden Roberts, and Beyla Shulman; his sister, Marjorie Cullen of Chaska, Minn.; his brother, Max Ellis of Parks Rapids, Minn.; brothers in-law and spouse, Gene (Doris) Shelton, and Rodney Landers; sister in-law and spouse, June (Bud) Rupert; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services were conducted Saturday, May 29, 2010, at East London Baptist Church with George Joseph officiating.