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BORN
1940
DIED
2014
Jimmy Ellis Obituary
Ellis died at a Louisville hospital, brother Jerry Ellis said. Jimmy Ellis had Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
Ellis, the son of a preacher who loved singing gospel music, held the WBA heavyweight title from 1968 to 1970. He lost to Joe Frazier in a fight to unify the world heavyweight championship in 1970. In 1971, Ellis was stopped by Ali in the 12th round. He retired in 1975.
Ali remembered his longtime friend as a "master in the ring."
"In the world of heavyweights, I have always thought that Jimmy was one of the best," Ali said in a statement in which he and his wife, Lonnie, expressed condolences.
Ali said his friendship with Ellis began as both rose through the ranks as amateurs in their hometown of Louisville.
"As a former champion, Jimmy was known for exceptional hand speed and a strong chin," Ali said.
Both fighters fought under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee. The great trainer often said that Ellis packed more punch than he was given credit for, Ali recalled. But Ali said Ellis' greatest qualities were his "gentle manner and the compassion in his heart."
"I had a kinship with Jimmy and felt like he and I were of the same cloth," Ali said. "He was a great athlete and a caring man. Great competitors who happen to be great friends are rare. Jimmy Ellis was that to me and I will miss him."
Ellis defeated Jerry Quarry to win the WBA crown in 1968. It was at a time when Ali had been stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Ellis defended the title by defeating Floyd Patterson before losing to Frazier.
After leaving boxing, Ellis spent years training fighters and later worked for the Louisville parks department.
Ellis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. They had six children together.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
120 Entries
May 9, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...
May 6, 2020
My condolences to the family. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.
May 6, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...
How you can show support
Harry Simpson
May 6, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Mike Madden
May 25, 2014
Jimmy Ellis had the quickest straight right hand of all the heavyweight champs. His gifts consisted of great boxing skills along with tremendous heart and dogged determinaton. Had Jimmy been a bigger man, his reign as champ would have been quite long. Rest in peace Champ .
MIKE MADDEN
May 25, 2014
Jimmy had the quickest straight right hand of all the ex champs. HE WAS GIFTED WITH GREAT BOXING SKILLS AND LOADS OF HEART AND DOGGED DETERMINATION. IF JIMMY WERE A LITTLE LARGE HE WOULD OF BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTEND WITH.
Mike Madden
May 25, 2014
Jimmy had the quickest and straighest right hand of any heavyweight champion. He was also gifted with a huge heart and dogged determination. Mr. Ellis fought them all and beat most of them. He will be missed.
Charles Bottoms
May 24, 2014
Sorry for your lost deep condolences from my family to yours!!!!
T. Hayes
May 23, 2014
One of all times best fighter ever...Champ was awesome in my option as is everyone else's that had the pleasure of knowing him...He truly loved his wife and wonderful children... Champ always had a smile on his face as his Sweet Mary did... Those 2 were such a beautiful couple they loved life and everything in theirs... Happy go lucky as I always would say to them... Very proud of their children each in their own way... May God Bless each of you left behind until your call from God... you kiddos have 2 special Angels watching over you all always... Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone and may all your precious memories help guide you all through your tough days ahead...From a friend along time ago...
J W Kidd
May 23, 2014
Having a strong chin and big heart should be the key to a good life.Rest In Peace Mr.Ellis and condolences to the family in your time of grief.
Rube Foster
May 23, 2014
Jimmy Ellis was one of the most likeable human beings on the planet. Anyone who met Jimmy once was his friend, and that even went for a few of the guys he destroyed in the ring. Someone did a real good job raising Jimmy, and I tip my cap to them.
Friederike Krenzke
May 20, 2014
I' m so sad .... In 1979 I met Jimmy (as he asked me to call him) in Germany.
He was there with Ali and both men were so very nice to me. I still have their autographs and will treasure them as long as I live. We spent only a couple of hours together, but I feel, I know from my very own experience, that Jimmy Ellis was exactly as affable and nice as they say he was. My heartfelt condolences to his family and everybody,who was close to him.
RIP Jimmy, love, Friederike
Pamela Strong
May 20, 2014
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family at this most difficult time. Please be assured that God will bring you comfort and help you cope with the heavy weight of your loss. “Blessed be Almighty God who daily carries the load for us.” Psalm 68:19
Kenneth Branham
May 20, 2014
I met Mr. Jimmy Ellis and Angelo Dundee in Savannah,Ga in 1970 . Mr. Ellis,a champion in and out of the ring !
Tom Stephens
May 19, 2014
What a great guy. I knew Jimmy, and he was an absolutely Great man, and a class act. Jimmy has always had so much talent.
Bruce Hall
May 19, 2014
The smartest fight I ever saw fought was when Jimmy beat Jerry Quarry for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Oakland Coliseum in April of 1968. Sports Illustrated called it a "15-round tactical masterpiece". Jimmy Ellis was one of the best there ever was, during boxing's finest hour; The Golden Era. Rest In Peace, Champ.
Ms. Burks
May 19, 2014
Jimmy will be missed. You know your father was special and did things that many people wish they can do. Losing him is not a forever lost. He is sleeping and soon Jesus will awake him on a beautiful earth. John 5:21 your family will cont. to be in my prayers.
Stacey Slaughter
May 18, 2014
Sorry to hear about your dad Keeping you all in my PRAYERS
May 18, 2014
Thoughts and prayers still thinking of you and your family everyday Champ...God Bless you all always...
Florida
May 15, 2014
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Its truly sad to learn that Jimmy Ellis had to go through such an illness. May the God of Mercy turn His attention to the family in this crucial times - and grant them the "undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
marshall Brown
May 15, 2014
GOD keep this famiy strong Keep them in your hand
Marshall Brown
May 15, 2014
Will keep the family in prayer ken Norton was my cuz we just sent him home to GOD last yr they can keep GOD house inorder with strong hand
rae
May 15, 2014
Rest n peace
Sylvester Newton
May 14, 2014
I finally made it. I had to wrestle with the devil. That's the song that I remember from Jimmy Ellis and the River View Singers as a little boy in Louisville, KY. I really liked that song. My condolences go out to the family.
May 14, 2014
Jimmy will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Comfort can be found in the memories you shared and in God who comforts all who mourn.
SPH
May 13, 2014
I trust the Ellis family has taken note of all the kind words posted here for Jimmy, who obviously made a positive impact on a lot of lives. That's the true mark of a man.
Bobby Grady (Greg Page's Son)
May 13, 2014
Eddie Brooks, Teresa Brooks Hayes and Family
May 13, 2014
Our sincere condolences to the Ellis Family now and always... My Dad use to cut meat for them at Winn-Dixie...And he moved to the WareHouse to wrk...I then was old enough to b a cashier...They wld come in ev wk either Mary & Jimmy...Or Mary and her daughters... They would bring in there first grandbaby he was so cute and he wld make the cutest mean look or mean face they would call it...They were always happy and had the biggest smiles on there faces all the time... Truly happy all together... I would always ring them up even after I move to the office cashier they always want me...I really enjoyed them comin in and truly lookd forward to them ev Friday nite... God Bless Jimmy and he is with the Love of his life finally Mary... God Bless everyone now and always... You all have 2 Angels with you all forever...R.I.P. CHAMP... We are sorry we could not attend the visitation or the Service due to Health reasons... Our thoughts and prayers are with ea of you during this tough time...
JJ
May 12, 2014
My condolences for the family. May God help you cope with your grief.
Mary E. Swinney Watkins
May 12, 2014
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Dena McCune
May 12, 2014
I worked at the McDonalds in Okolona years ago and Jimmy would come in for breakfast. I would take my break and sit with the older guys and listen to their stories. I heard many a boxing story. He was a sweet guy. I am glad that we crossed paths. His family will be in my prayers.
Christina Jones
May 12, 2014
Sorry for the loss. Mr. Ellis will sure be missed
JoAnna Findley
May 12, 2014
So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man with a wonderful family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow -
Emma Howell
May 11, 2014
Sorry for your loss, thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers Emma
Myrtle Leslie-Bradley
May 11, 2014
So glad and honored to have had to greatest friends with children and all the family there in the house on 12th Street. Words can can not express how sad I was to hear this. I shall always remember. I know he will be missed by the many childeren that was around 12th St. Louis, And all around fro the railroadtracks onboth sides, what once was St. Mary's hosptalect just to many memories still linger but the places have changed.They are gone so or the house's but memoires linger on. AND I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE 12TH ST MEOMRIES THANK YOU MR JIMMY ELLIS AND FAMILY.
GOD SAID WELL DONE AND TOOK HIM HOME. He will well missed. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND I KNOW HE IS WITH YOU NOW AND ALWAYS.
Edna Igo
May 11, 2014
To the Family,
Many thoughts and prayers are with you right now. May your hearts be filled with warm thoughts and treasured moments of a man, kind always so supportive in the world boxing.
God bless always,
Coach Emmitt and Edna Igo
Igo's Boxin Club
The Igo Boxing club
Bobby Grady
May 11, 2014
As the step-son of Greg and the son of Patricia Page, our family GRACIOUSLY sends our CONDOLENCES. We never know when the "candle of life" will be snuffed out. However, these guys are from an era that WILL NEVER BE DUPLICATED. The were "WARRIORS" who took pride in their craft and didn't worry about the "payday". As long as their respective fans got their monies worth and the fighters gave it their all, they could live peacefully within themselves. God bless Mr. Ellis, and especially the family as they grieve their loss
Linda Whiting
May 11, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 11, 2014
Jimmy, you and Mary were great neighbors, you are both missed.
The Glissons
May 11, 2014
May the God and Father of true peace grant your family a calm heart.
1 Corinthians 1:3
God Bless you and America!
Margaret Brodie
May 10, 2014
There's really NOT much to say about your greatness and dedication to the Sport of boxing. "You have made us proud". Rest in Peace my friend and we love you!
May 10, 2014
I always love Jimmy's Boxing ability. He was fun to watch. I'll miss you. Harry
Otha & Cynthia Long
May 10, 2014
To the family, "Keep your hands in GOD's hand for he knows and understands even at a time of the lost of our loved ones"
GOD bless.
May 10, 2014
Ellis family
I hope these words of encouragement bring you happiness.
The righteous will possess the earth. And they will live forever on it.
May 10, 2014
May the "God of all Comfort" be with your family.
Sincerely,
Ann L.
May 10, 2014
Condolences to the Family members of Mr. Jimmy Ellis -
We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Mr. Jimmy Ellis.
Please share your feelings with members of your family and close friends to help you during this difficult time and the days ahead.
Please draw a bit of comfort from the encouraging thoughts of the many comments and especially the encouraging scriptural references from the guests on this site. It will help you day to day in finding strength and hope.
BRUCE MARTIN
May 10, 2014
I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT SMILE! JIMMY MIGHT HAD BEEN A GREAT CHAMPOIN?BUT HE WAS ALSO A VERY HUMBLE MAN OF GOD.HIM AND MY FATHER TRAINED GUYS TOGETHER AS WELL AS JIMMY WORKED MY CORNER IN A COUPLE OF FIGHTS.HE WOULD BRING JOY TO ANY ROOM.REST EASY CHAMP,I WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN SOMEDAY!
May 10, 2014
"LIKE A MAN WHOM HIS MOTHER KEEP COMFORTING,SO I MYSELF SHALL KEEP COMFORTING YOU PEOPLE."ISA.66:13..MAY OUR GOD OF COMFORT CONSOLE YOU AT THIS TIME..CONDOLENCE TO YOU.........
May 9, 2014
God bless the Ellis family.
Randy Farb
May 9, 2014
My mother worked with mary, and they adored each other. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ellis yeras ago. They were a lovely couple. May it comfort you to know that his memory will be for a blessing.
Yolanda McNeal (First)
May 9, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
V-V@chavez
Victoria&Andreas` ~:~
May 9, 2014
condolences for the
Jimmy Ellis Family
Icon'Boxer venue
living his Life
upon memories..
rip`Jimmy
Jimmy Ellis Arnold
May 9, 2014
To the Ellis family I met this great man when I was just a little boy many years ago.Your family must have been very proud of him,he put me up on his knees and held me and said son my name is Jimmy Ellis im a boxer. Lord take care of this man and his family.
Sharon Hamilton-Stovall
May 9, 2014
He's only gone on ahead of you,Not just left you behind.
Although you can't be with him right now,He lives on in your heart and mind.
The day will come when you'll meet again
On Heaven's distant shore,
And the two of you will walk hand in hand
Together forever more.
Praying for you and family William & Peggy. If I can do anything, please let me know.
Patricia A Ware
May 9, 2014
Sorry to hear of Jimmy Ellises passing. Sounds like he was a great man. May God Bless his family with comfort, peace, and strength during this so very painful time in their lives. And God Bless his dear friends as well. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
Sharon/Donald Williams
May 8, 2014
He never met a stranger. People were not black, white or other to him. He treated everyone with love and respect. He was and is a great man, father, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle and of course The CHAMP. He will be missed. Go with God Uncle James. I love you Judge^^)
Tim Thomas
May 8, 2014
I was a big fan of yours growing up . You will be missed god bless you and your .
Dr. RZ AND FANNIE MILLER
May 8, 2014
May God Bless the River views and the entire Ellis family.
WALK AROUND HEAVEN ALL DAY HIS FAVORITE SONG
Rev. JC Alonzo
May 8, 2014
Sounds like a great man. May the peace and comfort of the Holy spirit be with your family
Iris Thomas
May 8, 2014
Sorry for your loss. May the God of all
comfort be with your family at this very
sad time.
G Alexander
May 8, 2014
To Ellis Family I am deeply sorrowed for your lost.
Jimmy Simmons
May 8, 2014
My deepest sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Jimmy Ellis.
Michael Gehm
May 8, 2014
So sorry for your loss ,he will be greatly missed, may the lord watch over your family, and bring comfort and closer ,in Jesus name ,Amen
Mattie Acklin
May 8, 2014
To the family of Jimmy Ellis, i send my love and prayer. So vey sorry for your lost..Will keep the family in prayer.
Renita Wigfall
May 8, 2014
As I reminisce on the fond memories I have of "Mr. James" as a child growing up in Louisville, I recall his thunderous laughter, his kindness, gentleness, and more importantly, his amazing love for his family. His ministry in singing with the Riverview Spiritual Singers exemplified his heart and love for his Heavenly Father. Rest on, my brother...until we meet again!
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:8
V. Wilson
May 8, 2014
May the family, friends, and fans of Jimmy Ellis receive the enduring comfort that God provides in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
FRANK FITZGERALD
May 8, 2014
R.I.P
Kim Malpass
May 8, 2014
I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. May you find you comfort from your family, friends, and our Heavenly Father.
May 8, 2014
Rest on peace Ellis,when he calls you will answer. John 5:28
Carl Kaelin
May 8, 2014
So sorry to hear about jimmy, my prayers are with your family Jerry and Edward.
Austin Stearns
May 8, 2014
My condolences to the family of Jimmy Ellis, who was a man amongst men. He was a champion in and out of the ring, and someone I would've been very proud to have called "Dad". RIP, Jimmy Ellis.
Anthony L. Hughes
May 8, 2014
I met Mr.Jimmy Ellis in the fall of 1994 at The Old (Torn-Down) Continental Inn Hotel in
Lexington,Ky.
What had send me to the hotel was that I was going to see my friend who had the name of (Muhammad)!!! I was going to watch himm sparring in the Boxing Gymnasium in the ring at the hotel.
And I had also met a popular local boy by
the name of Darrin Van Horn a student from The University of Kentucky. Both Muhammed and Van Horn were amateur fighters.
The biggest surprize of all was meeting and talking with Mr.Ellis.
He now joins (The Boxing Spirits) of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, who were apart of The Greatest Boxing Era of All-TIME in The
1970's.
Rest-In-Peace
Mr.Jimmy Ellis
nene
May 8, 2014
Wat a great loss. May GOD bless the family and keep yall strong.
May 8, 2014
My deepest condolences during this time of sorrow. May the God of Comfort bring peace to the family. (2Co.1:2-4)B. Meill
May 8, 2014
my deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved jimmy. may the God of all comfort be with you. -2Cor.1:3
May 8, 2014
Deborah jones
Jim Rich
May 7, 2014
I dealt with Jimmy when I promoted boxing back in the 70's. He was the consummate gentleman. Very bright and entertaining. Kept the sports writers interested for hours. He was an excellent boxer. Not the biggest guy in the division, but he certainly had the biggest heart. I have nothing but fond memories of Jimmy Ellis. RIP..........
May 7, 2014
I'm so sorry what a great loss! May the family be comforted by Almighty God
Margaret & Stormy Weathers
May 7, 2014
RIP Champ! You are one of the reasons my husband started boxing! May God comfort your family during this time!
The PRACK
May 7, 2014
The final bell has rung for Jimmy Ellis.
The scoring is unanimous .
As a man he was ahead on all cards.
As a prize fighter he won the right to be called Champ.
If there is more I'm sure he will get there.
JEFF HOWARD
May 7, 2014
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE ELLIS FAMILY.I GOT TO KNOW JIMMY AS A YOUNG BOXER AND WE BECAME FRIENDS.THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME SOME OF YOUR BOXING KNOWLAGE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND FRIENDSHIP.I WILL MISS YOU
David Rogers
May 7, 2014
You were a pleasure to know. A very kind and sweet man.An old friend from 5th Street Gym.
April
May 7, 2014
Please accept my sympathy for your loss. May all be comforted by the promise: And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. ...the former things have passed away. "
The Carters
May 7, 2014
We have lost a legend, but we will remember him for times to come for the extraordinary feats he accomplished during his boxing career both as a boxer and as a man of principles. Just for a moment, let us focus on the loving future that has been made possible for Jimmy and all of us by means of the ransom. Imagine your loved one in Paradise. Each morning, he awakes feeling rested and eager to begin his day. He has no aches or pain. Any infirmities he once had are gone. All his senses--sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste function perfectly. His energy is abundant, his work is enjoyable, his friends are many, and all his worries are gone. Such will be the blessings Jimmy can enjoy under God's Kingdom. (Matthew 6:9-10) What a grand reunion that will be! Our hearts are deeply saddened by your loss.
May 7, 2014
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Larry McDowell
May 7, 2014
One of the shining lights of Louisville. Mr. Ellis, you will be missed
Carmen Shane
May 7, 2014
My sympathy to the family of Mr. Ellis. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love to you all during this time.
MarilynnIt
May 7, 2014
It. is with sympathy that I send this message to the family of Mr.Jimmy Ellis. Death is not an easy thing to go through,but just know that God's word is waiting to heal your broken heart.-Psalm 147:3.
William Jackson Jr.
May 7, 2014
You are and were one of the greatest World Heavyweight Champions of all times and a great role model for young black men like myself! Rest In Peace Jimmy Ellis!
MARILYN ROGERS RIVERS
May 7, 2014
Rest in peace Jimmy,and thank you for the memories ! And thanks Elis family for sharing your love one, with the world. We are praying for the ENTIRE family
LJB
May 7, 2014
REST IN PEACE CHAMP! A TRUE GENTLEMAN BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE RING.
Grady Youngblood
May 7, 2014
Jimmy Ellis is the Greatest WBA World Heavywight Champions with many; WBA World HeavyWeight Champions of All-Time
May 7, 2014
My sincere condolences to your family at this most difficult time in your lives. May you find comfort in drawing close to God at this most difficult time in your lives.
James 4:8
SEEB Brooks
May 7, 2014
You the family I wish to express my deepest sympathy in t.he loss of your love one remember that Almighty God, will soon swallow up death forever Isaiah34:8
gene woods
May 7, 2014
I was at the 1971 fight at the houston astrodom with Ali.
May 7, 2014
In the future we will keep youth and strength forever. A paradise our God has promised. May the Ellis family find comfort in that hope during this difficult time.
JPW
May 7, 2014
May I offer my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear father. Please know that you are not alone, the God of all comfort promises to comfort us in all our trials. So pour out your feelings to the God who promises to comfort your heart.
George Cole
May 7, 2014
You were a great boxer,Jimmy.You will always be a part of the greatest era of heavyweight boxers in history.May you rest in peace.
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