James Ellis

DR. JAMES ELLIS

Apr. 1931 - Jan. 2, 2022

Dr. James Ellis passed away on January 2, 2022. He accomplished several things during his 90 years, but the most meaningful was his serving as the Imperial Valley's first pediatrician.

He was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Jim spent most of his formative years in Dothan, Alabama.

Before embarking on his career in medicine, he served in the Navy as an electrician's mate during the Korean War. As the years passed, he became increasingly proud of his military service.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Alabama, leading to his lifetime devotion as an Alabama Crimson Tide fan. It was at the University of Alabama that he met and married Glenda Lee, in 1956.

After graduating from medical school, he embarked on a career in pediatrics. He saw an ad in the American Journal of Pediatrics stating there was an opening in the town of El Centro, California, for the area's first (and only) pediatrician. He remembered traveling through El Centro on a train to reach his first Navy duty station in Long Beach. This train ride took place during the winter and he remembered El Centro being sunny, idyllic farmland near the California coast. Lacking the internet or a farmer's almanac, he failed to recognize that the weather in the Imperial Valley is perhaps not as temperate during the remaining nine months of the year nor was it exactly seaside. So, based on several faulty assumptions, he packed his young family (and his none too happy wife) and, in July of 1962, arrived at their new (and rather toasty) home.

During the next 40 plus years, Jim tirelessly served the community he deeply cared about. It was not unusual for him to treat up to 70 patients a day in his office and keep his office open half a day on Christmas and New Year's Day free of charge because, as he said, "sickness doesn't recognize holidays." He had that rare opportunity as a physician to treat his former patients' children and sometimes their children. It would be difficult to quantify the number of stitches he placed, the bones he set, or the conditions he treated but it was certainly more than most.

He served twice as the Chief of the Medical Staff for El Centro Regional Medical Center. He developed many friendships in the Imperial Valley and San Diego over the years and cherished those relationships. He and Glenda enjoyed many nights with the Supper Club and countless trips with great friends. They were members of Sts. Peter and Paul Episcopal Church in El Centro, renewing their vows there on their 40th anniversary. Jim particularly enjoyed his Alabama football and, during his younger years, sailing.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Glenda Ellis; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Elisa Ellis of Alpine, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jenna Ellis of San Diego, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Suzann Ellis Spurgeon and Van Spurgeon of Santa Monica, CA; beloved grandchildren, Jake, Kevin, Kate, Renny and Rex; niece, Libby Baker and nephews, Jeff Lee and Steve Lee.