JC Ellis, 82, of Holmes Beach, Florida and formerly of Clinton, Tennessee passed away peacefully on May 28, 2011. JC was born to Clarence and Elsie Ellis on May 3, 1929 in Scott County, Tennessee. He served in the US Army from August 6, 1946 until December 12, 1947 and was stationed in Japan.
In 1950, he began working as a Special Agent in the police department of the Southern Railway, now known as the Norfolk Southern Railway. JC worked for 37 years for the railroad, attaining the rank of Lieutenant in 1987. That same year he moved to Holmes Beach, Florida where he became the manager for the railroad’s resort for employees, the Lay-By. He took great pride in overseeing and maintaining the property for his numerous railroad friends. Together, he and his wife worked hard for 14 years to ensure that the guests would have wonderful treasured memories from their stays at the Lay-By.
JC was a devoted husband and loving father. On November 23, 1950 he married the love of his life, Velma Webber. They shared 60 wonderful years together and raised 2 daughters. JC had a charming wit and vibrant enthusiasm for life. He enjoyed fishing, swapping railroad stories and caring for his beloved poodles, Max and Tiger.
JC is survived by his devoted wife, Velma Ellis and his daughters; Dr. Sandra Ellis of Little Rock, Arkansas and Linda Ellis, ARPN, of Largo, Florida; his step-mother, Hazel Woods of Kingston, Tennessee; his sisters, Mrs. Boyd Woody (Joyce) of Kingston, Tennessee and Mrs. Bob Harmon (Martha) of Lebanon, Tennessee; his brothers: Dr. Roy Frazier Ellis of Sharps Chapel, Tennessee and David Ellis of Clark Hill, South Carolina. JC is preceded in death by his two brothers, Daniel Ellis of Georgia and Naaman Ellis of Texas.
A celebration of life will be held at Cross Pointe Fellowship Church on Anna Maria Island on Friday, June 3, 2011 with visitation from 10 am until 11 am Funeral services will begin at 11 am with interment at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, Florida at 2 pm with full military honors.
To honor JC’s memory, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to:
Suncoast Hospice
5771 Roosevelt Blvd
Clearwater, Florida 33760
OR
Cross Pointe Fellowship Church
P.O. Box 458
8605 Gulf Drive
Anna Marie, Florida 34216
Please sign the on-line guest book below.
Veterans Funeral Care
1-800-467-7850
JC was a wonderful person and a great friend.
JC was a good friend, he will be missed.
JC was a really neat man. He had a cool job with the railroad and seemed to love what he did. He always seemed happy and content. It showed with his kind words and expressions. Wish I had known him more.
Velma, Sandra, and Linda,
It has been my joy to have known JC ever since we met Sandra about 20 years ago. He always had a grin on his face and a quick wit to go with it. I loved to give him a tough time and he enjoyed giving it right back. (My favorite was to tell JC that I had purchased airline tickets for Max and Tiger so that they could come back to Minnesota with me each time I visited the island. He would chuckle and say that the dogs didn’t like snow so they wouldn’t be going anywhere.) We shared many laughs together and I’m sure that everyone who knew JC would say the same thing. Along with Velma, they opened their home to me and my family, always treating me like I was another daughter and I have treasured those special times. Sitting in the backyard looking at the canal and discussing various aspects of life (and I always learned something from this wise man!) are precious memories that I will hold onto forever. Velma, you have been a true and loving wife. JC was always in good hands with you and he knew it! Sandra, I could always see how much your dad loved you during my visits. He was very proud of both of his daughters (you, too, Linda!). Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sending much love from Minnesota!
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of J.C. J.C. and Velma were my back yard neighbors in Edgewood, Ky. I was so sorry when they moved to Florida, but we still kept in touch via emails and they did stop by to visit several times as they were passing through Kentucky. J.C. handed over delicious fresh vegetables he raised in his garden back yard. And Velma handed over her delicious zuccini bread which she made from the zuccini that they grew. I will never forget either one of them. They were a precious couple and friends you could never forget. I always intended to make a trip to Florida to visit them but never seemed to get the opportunity.
Velma and daughters, you have my sympathy and prayers.
One of my most treasured memories is the day we went fishing and had a cookout on the party barge. He was grinning from ear to ear and seemed very proud of me for driving the barge.. Well, at least until it was time to get it on the trailor. He will be misssed but the memory lives on……..