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Carl Ellis Obituary
"COACH" MURPHY
ELLIS, Jr., 68
LAKELAND - Carl "Coach" Murphy Ellis, Jr. age 68, a resident of Lakeland, FL, born December 14, 1942 peacefully left this life to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior of heart failure July 30, 2011 at L.R.M.C.
Carl was born in Mulberry, Florida and was a life long member of Mulberry United Methodist Church and graduated from Mulberry High School prior to attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on a football scholarship. He was co-captain his senior year and after graduating was a coach at UT, VA Tech, and Mulberry High School.
Carl was the only child of the late Carl M. "Kid" Ellis, Sr. and Juanita Witt Ellis and the beloved husband of Patricia Ann Ellis of 46 years. Carl will forever be remembered as the loving and caring father of Carl "Trey" M. Ellis, III (Angela) and Patrick "Woody" Ellis, the treasured grandfather of Christian and Asia Ellis, and the friend to countless others whom were blessed to know him.
Carl was a dedicated educator and a coach who truly cared for his students and athletes. Carl loved spending time with his family and watching sports. Coach Ellis touched the lives of many people through his care and generosity and his legacy will live on through their lives.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of life service on Wednesday August 3, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Mulberry First Assembly of God-Hwy. 60 E. Mulberry, with Rev. Val Hattery officiating. Carl's Family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Interment will follow at Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, FL. The family has requested in lieu of flowers donations be made to Mulberry United Methodist Church-306 N. Church Ave., Mulberry, Fl. 33860, Florida United Methodist Children's Home-P.O. Box 6299 Deland, FL. 32728 or National Kidney Foundation-1040 Woodcock Road., Suite 119, Orlando, FL. 32803.
Condolences may be sent to the [email protected]. Arrangements entrusted to Seigler Funeral Home-Mulberry, FL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carl Ellis
Bill Pretty
July 25, 2023
Mr. Fruit Loop, we were room mates in a nursing facility at the time. He was there doing his thing and I was there doing rehab for a left knee replacement. By the way the knee still isn´t right. Came to love this man and his wife. Became a semi- Tennessee fan those days. My heart is Florida and USF. We would talk about coaching a bunch, I couch Dixie youth baseball for years and some soccer. To his wife an family may God Bless.,,
Bill Mixon
July 25, 2022
You might not know that Carl Ellis was a musician.
We would exchange sleeping at our respective parents home once a month. He expressed an interest in playing the piano after he knew that I have been taking lessons. I asked him what he would like to learn to play. He replied "when the saints go marching in". So we sat down on the piano bench. After I played the medley line a few times he began to play the song with his single finger the four note medley.
he always wanted to come out and practice his song on my piano. My mother and father was very pleased to know that he could play the piano. God bless everyone who reads this profile of Carl Ellis's music career.
Jesse Jenkins
July 29, 2012
July 29, 2012
Hopefully no one will mind that I write more about my special friend, Carl Ellis Jr.
Back in the mid 80s or so, I was living in Moultrie GA, working for the newspaper then. I had just finished my other job as an assistant coach for a midget league baseball team.
I was walking into a neighborhood grocery when suddenly I hear a very familiar voice behind me. "I just hope you know what the heck were doing out there today."
I knew who it was. Carl was in Moultrie for Badcock. We had one Badcock store there. Anykway, he stopped by my house and we enjoyed a long conversation.
During our talk, I could tell his passion for football and coaching was still there. So I asked him, "Why aren't you still coaching?"
He didn't hesitate with his answer. He told me that coaching football on the college or professional level was very demanding on personal time. He knew of many families that had fallen apart because husband and father was not home as much as he needed to be.
"I have no regrets over the choice I made. I wanted to spend time with my wife and my boys, more time than coaching on that level would have allowed. I love football but I love my family more."
There was no doubt in my mind that he meant that. I was glad that after Badcock he was able to get back into teaching and coaching. Never had the chance to see him do either, but I'm sure he was good at it.
I know that his family and Mulberry miss him very much. I just wish we could have had a few more visits. Once again, I say "Farewell, my friend!" Thanks for being a part of my young life. God bless you.
Reggie Berry
November 17, 2011
Mrs.Ellis
I played on the 60 Feshmen Team at UT with Carl and we were roomates my last year there (62) Great roomate with his humor but also he had a very serious side.
Carl came to Lynchburg a few times when he coached at Va Tech.I can understand why his players and students loved him just like you and your family did
It is with much sorrow that I write this note today.
With Love,
Reggie Berry
Bill Mixon...'60 MHS fullback
September 29, 2011
From the first grade Carl And I knew one another. Visiting overnight Each others house We played sports together And he wanted to learn to play the piano. He learned to play the "saints go marching in". And decided that was the only song he really liked to play. We could not sing very well while playing the piano so we hummed together.
It Was great speaking with Carl
These past few years About his Christian faith. He and I will see one another very soon.
God bless his family and friends.
August 15, 2011
carl always stood tall in my mind. he was a senior and a great football player when i was a rising sophmore and a nobody. carl was ALWAYS kind and made me feel like part of the team. what a great guy. johnny mills
Cindy Douberly
August 14, 2011
I was so saddened to hear of Carl's passing this morning. I had the privilege of meeting and working with Carl when he first began dialysis. He was always so uplifting for the other patients and just a gentleman to all that cared for him at our facility. May God bless your family with peace and sweet memories of such a fine man.
kayla monroe
August 12, 2011
coach Ellis was the last person who was my teacher and he was loved very much by everyone he was always pushing us to do better in life and keeping us all out of trouble i never thought he would go out of this world that way coach we will all love you and miss you very much and you will always be in my thoughts i hope you have had a long life filled of joy and happiness i wish i could have seen you one more time before you went just to let you know how much of a big differences you made in my life but i never did so i will always be thinking of you and hope you are happy in heaven
Gerald and Peggy Odom
August 7, 2011
We were so sad today to hear about Carl's passing. We have kept track of the important events in his life even though is has been many years since we have seen Carl and Pat. We always counted them as our best friends. We had wonderful memories of our times in Tampa. Pat, we send our prayers and best wishes to you and your family.
Gerald and Peggy Odom
175 Woodlake Circle
Douglas, GA
Courtney Keesee
August 5, 2011
There are so few positive influences in the lives of the youth, Coach Ellis was certainly one in my life. Thank you Coach, see you beyond in eternity along side the Lord.
Janie Eason
August 5, 2011
Deepest sympathy to Pat and family. I
was so close to Kid and Juanita, having
served on Mulberry City Commission with
Mayor Ellis for 20 years and I don't ever remember
talking with Carl, Jr. when he didn't
have a smile on his face. He liked people and everyone liked him! He will
be missed.
Janie Eason
Barbara Hall
August 4, 2011
Pat, I am o sorry I missed this; I have been out of town all week; my deepest sympathy to you and your family; I'll be in touch when I get back home.
Jesse Jenkins
August 3, 2011
The Ellis Family,
Carl made a positive impact everywhere he went. We grew up together, picked on each other a lot, almost fought in the heat of football practice many times, and laughed a lot.
He was special to me, a friend that was always there and one that was never afraid to push me to do better. I did not have a chance to see him much over the past 50 years but he remains strong in my thoughts and each of you in my prayers.
God bless you. Enjoy your rest, my friend. You have earned it.
Aileen & Ronnie Payne(parents of Cpl. Ron Payne)
August 3, 2011
The attentance at Coach's funeral was such a great tribute to how he touched so many lives. May you remember today with warmth and comfort when you think...He meant so much to so many people. We will continue to lift you all up in prayer for the coming days, as you will have a "different" normal going forward.
Misty Peacock
August 2, 2011
Trey and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss and will be praying for you. I can honestly say I know how you feel I have lost both parents this year and you will miss him everyday. Time heals, but you never stop missing them. Your Dad was a great man and with a great personality. God Bless.
Misty Peacock( formerly Spurlock)
Robert (Blink) DAgostino
August 2, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Ellis family all the way from out here in the desert of El paso, Texas. Coach Ellis was my football coach all 4 years of high school as well as my economics teacher. He thought the world of his students as well as players. He will truly be missed. I may live out here in El paso but I will always be a panther at heart. Rest In Peace coach.
Gary Wiggs
August 2, 2011
Pat ,Trey and Woody. I just heard about Carl. He was a mans man. Deeply and lovingly thought of by so many of us. He was one of a kind. I will forever have memories of Carl. He was not only a pleasure to be around he was also so much fun.He always built up up and was not one to tear you down. He gave me so much confidence. I still remember the scuba tanks in the pool at the house in Mulberry. I can only imagine what Billy Seigler had to say when he met Carl the big white pearly gates. That is a UF emblem and Carl saying no Seig that is UT. What a reunion. My thought and prayers are with you and we will forever remember Carl as one of a kind. So many great stories and great times I had with him.
Gary
Rick Holt & Pa, Holt-Seymour
August 2, 2011
Patsy, you and Carl are the epitome of "GREAT" people and he will truly be missed by all. Even though it has been many, many years our thoughts are with you and your family! Rick Holt and Pam Holt-Seymour
CHRIS MITCHELL
August 2, 2011
I WILL TRULY MISS MY COACH WE ONLY SPENT MY SENIOR YEAR TOGETHER BUT IT FELT LIKE A LIFE TIME MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.REST IN PEACE COACH.CHRIS MITCHELL MULBERRY,FL
August 2, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers to the family. "Carl jr" and I grew up as neighbors on 1st Ave. I have such fond memories of our childhood years. Carl always had a good story to share. He may be gone but his stories and memories will continue as a reminder,"Carl jr" really was a good person. Wayne and Linda Meredith (Live Oak,Fl.,)
Heather Nerad Williams
August 2, 2011
I am shocked of Coach Ellis' passing..He was a sweet, soft-spoken and caring man and a wonderful teacher. He will be truly missed and will have a special place in his students hearts! We love you Coach Ellis!!
Anthony Cerullo
August 1, 2011
Im saddened to find out of his passing. He was a great teacher of sports and of life. He will be missed. He truly died too soon.
Daryl and Karen Phillips
August 1, 2011
Coach Ellis will be greatly missed. He was always thinking about the kids. He was a pleasure to work with. Pat if there is anything I can do please let us know My prayers are with you and the family
Reuel Henriquez
August 1, 2011
I will always remember Carl in P.E. at Mulberry High School.
My sincere condolences to the family.
Reuel Henriquez
Lee King
August 1, 2011
my thoughts and prayers to the family. Carl was always very nice to me when we worked together at Badcock. He had a profound impact on my brother also. He will be missed.
William Pretty
August 1, 2011
A few weeks ago I had total knee replacement on my left knee. I had to go to a rehab center. One day they told me I was getting a new roommate the next day.
What a day it would be, in a round about way, I knew this man. The Son of the late Carl Ellis Sr., the Mayor, (Kid Ellis).
It was a real pleasure trying to get to sleep at night as either of us could. We would talk about friends we knew, about our wifes, all good things, sports, coaching, and sometimes other subjects until one of us fell asleep.
He would push me at my therapy as I would to him. Yes two coachs coaching each other. As I was a coach for youth baseball and soccer.
Carl, you are going to be missed my friend. To the family of Carl, he was a great man and loving person, I was blessed to know him.
Pat, thankyou for letting me visit with both of you on Thursday, just a couple of days before his passing. If you need anything, and I mean this, call me, you have my number. Pat, he had the same Birthdate as my Father did.
You will be missed my friend.
Love you coach,
Your buddy and roommate.
Bill Pretty (Lakeland Florida)
sara rollins
August 1, 2011
rest in peace
sara rollins
August 1, 2011
he help me through high school the best way he could. i will miss him
sara rollins
August 1, 2011
He was a good teacher at mulberry high school. He help me through my 9th and 10th years the best way he could.he is one of my fave teacher.we all will miss him
Julie (Norris)Walters
August 1, 2011
So sorry for your loss, but I know he will be in your hearts forever.
Glen (blueberry) Vinson
August 1, 2011
Mrs. Ellis I'm so sorry... Carl we be missed by so many people, I coach with Carl at Mulberry High an it was a honor. He was a person that cared for everyone,and I'm glad I got to know him and you during that time.
Eleanor Williams
August 1, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ronnie & Diane Duke DeShong
August 1, 2011
Ronnie and I were so sorry to hear of "Carl Jr.'s" passing. Our parents were always good friends, we belonged to the same church, went to the same beach, attended school together, his mom taught me in school and I was her Sunday School teacher, the connections are just too numerous to mention them all. I will miss him as you will. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Renee Fugate
August 1, 2011
I only new Coach for a few months but thought the world of him. We always talked about the KY Wildcats and what a great basket ball team they were. I am glad that I got to meet coach.
Whitney Deese
August 1, 2011
Sorry for y'all lose he was a good man and teacher I had him as a teacher when I went their he will be love miss
Rose Nixon
August 1, 2011
Pat, Trey & Woody... I am so sorry for your loss. I send my deepest condolences and my prayers. I worked for Carl for many years and he was wonderful!! He was the most kind and gentle man and always made me laugh. He will be missed dearly by many people. You will be in my prayers. Carl touched many lives, including my own. I am thankful for those years. God bless each of you and may he comfort you at this time.
Erica Seibert-Foster
August 1, 2011
To the Ellis family i am so sorry for your loss Coach Ellis was so awesome he treated everyone with respect and a friendly smile! I know everyone will always love & miss him! This is a sad time for the whole Mulberry family!
August 1, 2011
Pat,
Judy & I were sorry to get the news about Carl. He was a wonderful neighbor and a very nice person. Sorry we will not be able to attend his services as we are in Arizona. Our prayers are with you, Carl, and your family.
Ken & Judy Rogers
Connie Howard
August 1, 2011
To the Ellis Family:
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. On behalf of the Howard Family I extend our deepest sympathy. The Ellis Family and The Howard Family were such close neighbors for many, many years in Mulberry. "Carl Jr." was the role model for our sons. May God Bless each of you and give you peace.
Eugene Kendrick
July 31, 2011
It was an honor to work with Coach Ellis at Mulberry High School. He was a true inspiration to the students and the faculty. He will be missed but his memory will live on.
Ron McCreary
July 31, 2011
Thinking of you in your time of loss and remembering Carl with fondness.
Bruce Cole
July 31, 2011
Patsy,
I am saddened to learn of your loss, but glory in his passing to a better place where pain is no more.
Carl was a good man, and a good friend. I, like many others, am better for having known him.
Kathy Baranowski
July 31, 2011
I so sorry Pat, Trey and Woody. I know that his 1st cousin, my dad, Bill Ellis will miss him dearly. Carl Jr. could tell a story better than anyone I know. Which I sure he got from Uncle Carl. I' m so happy I was able to visit with him when I was there this month. I looked up to him greatly. My dad and brother loved working the sidelines with him at the Mulberry games.
With love and deepest sympathies,
Kathy Ellis Baranowski and family.
July 31, 2011
Pat and family, I always enjoyed when Carl came into the office and we could talk about Tenn. football. Having grown up in Elizabethton I always followed the Vols. My prayer for the family that you recieve the Peace of God that passes all understanding and remember the sharing life that Carl led.
Deep Sympathy, Ben Earnest D.D.S.
Aileen Payne
July 31, 2011
To our Coach Ellis. My son adored you and my husband enjoyed working next to you on the football field. Just a couple of weeks ago, you shared with me how much you loved our son and was so broken over his death. You have no idea what that meant to us. Your leadership on that football field was such an influencial thing in my son's life...that he took with him into the Marines. You will be missed.
July 31, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Carl for several years at Badcock in the late 70s - mid 80s. He was a great guy, a true friend and a gentleman all the time. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead. God speed. -- Harriet Mayes
July 31, 2011
I READ CARL'S OBIT IN THE LEDGER TODAY. I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. HE WAS MY HUSBAND'S ROOMATE AT HLC. HE SEEMED LIKE A VERY NICE PERSON, ALTHOUGH I HAD ONLY A FEW WORDS WITH HIM. I ENJOYED TALKING TO YOU, PAT. MAY GOD BESTOW HIS BLESSINGS UPON YOU AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. FRAN AND GORDON
RODNEY EASON
July 31, 2011
PAT, TREY AND WOODY. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. HE IS WITH HIS FAMILY IN HEAVEN NOW. MAY "GOD" BLESS YOU. RODNEY
Tealy Williams
July 31, 2011
To the Ellis family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Coach was a great man and will be deeply missed. We love you all and know that God will comfort you in your sorrow and give you the strength to endure your loss. Tealy, Angela, Shannon, and Terrell
July 31, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, Pat, Trey, and Woody. Carl was a good role model to many and a good person. He will be missed. I enjoyed knowing him at Mulberry High School when we both taught there and as a former neighbor.
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