Gene Alan Ellis

Gene Alan Ellis went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 21, 2017, surrounded by family in Mesa, Arizona. Gene Ellis was born on November 13, 1933 in Goshen, Indiana to the late Francis & Fay (Covert) Ellis. He married Ruth Anne (Hartley) on November 26, 1952 and is survived by her. In addition to his wife of 64 years he is survived by his children Steven Ellis of AZ, Susan (Wayne) Lavrack of NC, and Sharon (John) Casteel of AZ., 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, his brother Wes (Sally) Ellis of Ohio and sister Mona Avara of Indiana along with many adoring nieces and nephews.

In his early years Gene was talented in the archery world, both in competition and in bow & arrow manufacturing; he held national and state champion titles, won numerous archery tournaments and broke multiple records. He worked at Fred Bear, owned his own company, Gladiator Bows and later was instrumental in bringing PSE to Tucson, AZ where he was plant manager. He also was musical, sang & performed in barbershop quartets, having a forever love for tight vocal harmonies. Gene was most thankful for his decision in 1974 to accept his Lord as savior, keeping that bulletin announcement permanently posted on his desk in his office. He decided to serve the Lord in full time ministry, walking away from the archery world and into pastoring. He enjoyed studying his Bible and commentaries and wanted to talk about the Lord often.

He decided to move near his father for his ending years in Modesto, California, and was hired to work for a garage door, install and repair company. Not too many years later, he started & ran his own garage door company from his own home, being able to then retire after his dad’s passing and return to Arizona to be closer to family.

Besides the Lord, he loved and adored his sweetie, Ruth most of all and fought to the end to take care of her. In these last years he became the meal planner & chef, even baking bread amongst many other specialties. He became a self-taught artist, dabbling in water & acrylic but enjoyed his sketching the most, establishing his own website and selling his art. After his hand became too unsteady and it was too long for him to sit, he decided to teach himself banjo, and then ukulele. There is nothing that he couldn’t learn if he put his mind to it.

We will miss his long chats and funny stories, his teaching moments, his voice, his touch and his hugs, but we know he is no longer in pain & worshipping his Lord. He believed and said often, “God is sovereign” and his favorite prayer was “Thy will be done” and he had been saying lately his desire was to go see his Lord. He lived life full and well, an amazing man, a faithful husband and father and dedicated grandpa…..you have left a legacy here on earth that will last forever.

Revelations 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

Per dad’s request there will be no public services held. You may use this online memorial to leave your thoughts & memories of Gene for the family.