Edwin Hill Ellison

1933 - 2005

Edwin H. Ellison, 71, retired veterinarian and former mayor pro tem of Benbrook, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, surrounded by his loving family at a local hospital, from complications following a stroke.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday at Western Hills United Methodist Church. Entombment: Greenwood Mausoleum. Visitation: For family and friends will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Dr. Ellison's memory be made to the Morris Animal Foundation, Dr. Edwin Hill Ellison, trustee emeritus, Morris Animal Foundation, 45 Iverness Drive E., Englewood, Colo. 80112-5480, (800) 243-2345, www.morrisanimalfoundation.org

Dr. Ellison was born July 13, 1933, in Tyler, to Albert and Blanche Ellison. He graduated from Longview High School and earned a bachelor's degree in animal nutrition and doctor of veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University in 1957.

Dr. Ellison moved to the Fort Worth area, where he began his veterinary practice in 1957, until his retirement in 1998. For many years he owned the Wedgwood Animal Hospital on Granbury Road in Southwest Fort Worth.

Dr. Ellison was very involved in both community and professional organizations. He served on the Benbrook City Council from 1972 to 1977, and as mayor pro tem from 1974 to 1975. Over the years he was a church deacon, Boy Scoutmaster, master Mason, Shriner, president of the Southside Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

In 1993, Dr. Ellison was a recipient of the Morris Animal Foundation's Veterinary Honor Roll Award and served as trustee of the foundation. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association honored him as a Mark Francis Fellow, past district director and past chairman of the Ethics and Grievance Committee. He was also past president of the Tarrant County Veterinary Medical Association, a charter member of the Texas Academy of Veterinary Medicine and president of the Tarrant County Veterinary Research Corp.

Dr. Ellison was an avid hunter and had many special hunting friends. He and his wife, Louise, spent their summers camping, traveling and entertaining family and friends at their log cabin home in Colorado.

"Dr. E," as so many people knew him, is remembered as a kind and compassionate man, dedicated to his precious family. He loved to share stories and jokes and always left you laughing. He was a lifelong hunter and loved music, reading, guns and knives. He collected inspirational sayings and always had a positive and encouraging word for those around him.

He will be greatly missed by his family and so many special friends. He lived a long, happy and purpose filled life.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

"Gig 'em Aggies."

Survivors: Wife of 50 years, Louise King Ellison; daughters, Deborah Ellison Powell and her husband, Dan, Sheryl Ellison Willyerd and her husband, Bob, Suzanne Ellison Harrelson and her husband, Tim, and Donna Ellison and her husband, Richard; brother, Dr. David W. Ellison and his wife, Tanda, all of Fort Worth; father-in-law, Elvin E. King and his wife, Jewel, of Big Sandy; loving grandchildren, Kyle Amato, Shannen and Rob Harden, Jennifer, Jessica and Heather Harrelson, Jason, Alex, Adrienne, and Aubrey Powell and Bobby Flores.