James Ellis

James C. Ellis, 80, passed away on Oct. 2, 2013, at Regency at The Park in College Place. He was born on May 2, 1933, in Spokane, to R.C. and Leada June Ellis.

Jim graduated from Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla in 1951. After high school, he attended Central Washington College in Ellensburg, where he received a bachelor of arts in education, and received his commission into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1955. He served 20 years on various bases across the U.S., in Vietnam and in Newfoundland and retired with the rank of major. He received the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam. While in the Air Force, he earned his civil engineering degree. Upon his Air Force retirement, he worked for Iowa Beef at Wallula as a plant engineer for 18 years.

Jim married Beverly Carter in 1956, in Walla Walla. They were happily married for 57 years. Jim was a member of BPOE, and the Parkinson’s Support Group. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling and spending time with his family.

Jim is survived by his spouse, Beverly of College Place; his daughters, Diane (Vicky) of Everett and Debra of Eagle River, Alaska; his son, David (Marie) of Cheney, Wash.; his grandchildren, Skyler Darbous of Anchorage, Alaska, and Holly (Shane) White of Eagle River, Alaska; his great-grandchild, Steihl Darbous of Anchorage, Alaska.

A graveside service will be held at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens at 3 p.m., Oct. 12, 2013. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at the hospitality room after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Parkinson’s research or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA, 99362.