Richard Beirne Ellison Sr.

Ridgeland - Richard Beirne Ellison Sr. met his savior Jesus Christ face to face on April 11, 2025. He lived a wonderful life and passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 90. Dick (affectionately known as "Peeps" after the grandchildren arrived) was born on October 23, 1934 in Charlotte, North Carolina to DeLila Hayes Ellison and Marcus Hanna Ellison. His early childhood was spent in North Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia. In his elementary years, Dick moved to Gulfport, Mississippi where his mother established a practice as a nurse anesthetist. He spent his middle school and high school years on the water, enjoying boating, sailing, and water skiing, before attending Tulane university for college.

After his freshman year, Dick transferred to Ole Miss where he enjoyed the glory years of Ole Miss football under the coaching leadership of Johnny Vaught, which birthed a lifelong love for Ole Miss Sports.

Dick went on to attend Medical School at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, graduating in the first full 4 year medical school class at UMC in 1959. It was there that he first encountered the love of his life, Judith Chloe Forbes. After joining the Air Force and serving a one year internship in Hawaii, Dick and Judy were married within a week of his return from Hawaii. At this point, their adventures as a military family began. Dick and Judy moved to Alexandria, LA where their first child Richard Beirne Ellison, Jr was born. They then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for Radiology residency training, and had their second child, Parker Lee Ellison. After finishing his radiology training, they were transferred to Puerto Rico for several years. This was during the Vietnam War, so Dick and Judy felt very fortunate to be stationed there as a family. They were subsequently transferred to Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, MS where their third child, Hayes Forbes Ellison was born. Dick eventually retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. He then went into private radiology practice in Biloxi for several years, but felt the need for further training due to all of the technological advances in radiology. The family moved to Jackson, MS in 1975. Dick finished his fellowship at UMMC and eventually joined Lakeland Radiology Group at St. Dominic's Hospital where he worked until his retirement in 2000. Dick was always a diligent and steady force in his

work life and a well respected physician. After retiring Dick and Judy spent many wonderful seasons in Cashiers, NC. Dick was an exceptional husband, father and friend. He was a great teacher, and loved teaching his children and grandchildren...always with his kind and patient manner. Those who know Dick never saw him

lose his composure, and he happily "soldiered on" no matter the circumstances. Whether it was reading X-rays, coaching basketball, sailing, fashioning pinewood derby cars, working on a science fair project, doing yard work, or parenting his children, he was the epitome of kindness and grace. He was a humble man that seemingly did not

have an ego. Dick was a great storyteller (usually self-deprecating, true to his form) and incredibly funny. He was endlessly curious and a voracious reader. Though his iPad eventually replaced books, he spent his last years continuing to learn about many of his passions: military aircraft, sports cars, surfing, sailing, and almost anything related to World War II.

Dick set a high bar for all of his family through the example that he lived-never once complaining, even as he aged. When thinking about life and death, Dick would frequently laugh and say, "None of us get out of this alive." He was a long time and active member at First Baptist Church Jackson, and then at First Presbyterian Church Jackson. He

had a quiet but true strength about his faith in Jesus and his salvation. His mind was clear all the way to the end, and his children were thankfully able to have many great conversations with him as he aged.

Dick's wife, Judy (Mumsy to the grandchildren), passed away in November, 2019. He was able to live at home until his passing with the excellent care of Nikki Lewis and Gail Jacobs who loved him like family. He is survived by his brother William (Bill) Keyser (Mary Margaret) of Sonoma, CA, his children, Richard (Rich) Beirne Ellison, Jr. (Robbi),

Parker Lee Ellison (Mary), and Hayes Ellison Dale (T) all of Jackson. He also had 9 grandchildren of which he was extremely proud: Lauren (Washington DC), Trey (Ridgeland), Lee (Jackson), Claire (NYC), Daniel (Jackson), Emily (NYC), Thomas, Hallie and Mary Ellison (all of Ridgeland). He also had 3 great grandchildren: Mark, Parker, and

Harper. Visitation will be on Saturday, April 19 at at 10: 30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church followed by a graveside at 12:30 p.m. at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.