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BORN
1930
DIED
2015
Edwin Ellington Obituary
Born March 17, 1930 in Long Beach, CA, to Merwin and Kathleen (Christopher), Duke passed peacefully on March 11, 2015 after a bout with cancer. Duke grew up in Long Beach spending his free time bodysurfing (before the breakwater) and riding his horse, Gypsy. After a tour in the Army, Duke eventually worked as a photographer aboard the SS Catalina. Later, he owned a camera store and wedding photography business in downtown Long Beach. His appreciation of the arts led him to allow local artists to use the store as an art gallery. Duke enjoyed gardening and later in life worked as a groundskeeper at Long Beach City College until his retirement. At LBCC, he loved to discuss musical and acting performances with the students. Duke loved the outdoors and relished family camping trips. He taught his kids a respect and appreciation for nature. He often took the kids to the beach, teaching them all to bodysurf. Duke was easy to spot in the water with his unique 1 foot in the air that he called his "rudder" and a YAHOO! after a good wave (YAHOO! could also be heard at his children's performances). Duke held a passion for horses his whole life. He worked as a horse groomer in his youth and rode his horse to Arcadia and back to visit his grandparents. Sporting his signature long beard and laid back style, Duke was an engaging conversationalist; he could offer a spirited debate or a compassionate ear with a supportive story or observation. Grandpa Duke always had a blast entertaining and being entertained by his grandkids and they loved spending time with him. Duke was preceded in death by his sister Ruth (Golemb/Lane) and is survived by his seven children Rick; Bob; Tom; (Lynn); Teresa; (Jeff Donati); Cindy; Evie; (Mike Grauten) and James; their mother Mary; seven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
A memorial for Duke will be held March 29. For more information please contact the family. Memorial donations may be made to The Surfrider Foundation http://www.lbsurfrider.org. Please sign the guestbook at www.presstelegram.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Ellington
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6 Entries
Evelyn Grauten
April 5, 2015
Thank you everyone for your messages. Keep them coming, they are very healing to us
Love, Evie
Tim Gallagher
April 1, 2015
I'll always have fond memories of the times I spent with Duke, one of the most easygoing and interesting people I've ever known. I remember the old white '59 Chevy panel truck (a former Helm's Bakery truck, I think) he drove all through the 1970s, usually with his little dog, Lad, riding shotgun. One summer he took us all on a long camping trip in western Canadahis three daughters, Teresa, Cindy, and Evie, and their friend, Melissa; his youngest son, Jim; my teenage sister, Janet; and me, all crammed in the white truck. And it was the trip of a lifetime, driving up through Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, then across on the ferry to Vancouver Island, camping in forests and swimming in mountain lakes everywhere we went. Later, I worked with Duke at several placesthe shipyard; the Naval Weapons Station; and one or two other jobsand he really had wonderful way of not letting anything get him down, no matter how big a jerk the boss was. Now I always try to channel Duke whenever I'm dealing with a difficult employer. There's so much more I could say. He was a great friend, an amazing photographer, and the best horseplayer I ever met. I'm so glad I got to see him one more time before he passed away. So fair winds and following seas, my old friend, wherever you may travel.
March 30, 2015
Rest in Peace, Duke. You will be missed.
Simone Luttrell
Whitefish, Montana
March 28, 2015
Thanks for good memories of a fine person. EW
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Brigitte Ellington Croul
March 25, 2015
Love you Grandpa Duke. Thank you for being so wonderful!
Pam and Eric Taylor-Lamont
March 25, 2015
Wishing Edwin peace. Our condolences to his wonderful family.
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