Samuel Addison Ellis

Samuel Ellis Obituary

SAMUEL ADDISON
ELLIS, 86

LAKELAND - Samuel Addison Ellis, beloved husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend passed away at age 86 February 6, 2011 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease near his home in Lakeland, FL, with his devoted wife Joyce by his side.
He was born January 18, 1925 to Samuel and Sarah Kathleen Ellis in London, Ontario, Canada. His family moved to Detroit, MI when he was an infant.
Sam married Joyce L. Phillips on August 4, 1950 and they spent 60 years together, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends in August, 2010. They moved to Lakeland in 1992 after his retirement as a tool and die maker and owner of FEG Gage, Troy, MI. Sam was an active and enthusiastic member of their community at Sandpiper and past member of Sandpiper Golf Club.
Sam joined the US Army shortly after his 18th birthday and became a US citizen prior to deploying to Europe where he served as a member of the 82nd Airborne during WWII, parachuting into occupied France three days before D-Day. After the end of the war Sam stayed in Germany for one year as a part of the occupation and served on Eisenhower's Honor Guard. He was also a Third Degree "Master Mason" and member of the VFW.
For many years Sam sang in an Irish men's choir and was a member of The Barber Shop, Lake Shore Chorus in Grosse Pointe, MI and later in Lakeland, FL with The Citrus Lakes Chorus. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol System for 35 years.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, five children, David (Kimberly) Utah, Daniel (Denise) Michigan, Dale (Jane) Michigan, Dr. Kathleen Fox (Jim) Illinois, Karen Richford (Mark) Bahamas and seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill and sister Marie.
The family would like to sincerely thank Good Shepherd Hospice at Palm Terrace Hospice House for the special care their terrific staff provided Sam and the family.
The family requests memorial donations be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801 or Good Shepherd Hospice House, Palm Terrace, 1919 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805.
Internment will take place at Bushnell National Cemetery on February 17th at 11:00 am and a memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at 11:00 am.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison, Northside.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Ledger on Feb. 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Ellis

7 Entries

Susan & Harry Trout

February 23, 2011

We were saddened to see Sam's obituary in the Grosse Pointe News. Although it has been a long time since Karen and our daughter Marian were childhood friends and soft-ball teammates, our memories of Sam are as vivid as if it were only weeks, not years, since we last met. Sam's warmth and integrity were immediately apparent to those who had the good fortune to meet him. We were honored to have been allowed to share a small slice of this remarkable man's life. He and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers. At our age it is heart-breaking to see so many good people (why always the good ones?) slipping away. Rest in peace, Sam. You've earned it.

February 14, 2011

Sam. You have played your part in life.
Now rest in peace.

Bill.(Shotley)

February 14, 2011

Rest peacefully Sam. It has been a pleasure to have known you

Tony and Lynn Richford

Thomas Fox

February 10, 2011

It was wonderful to have known Sam.
God bless all of you Ellises... our thoughts are with you during this moment of sorrow.

Tom, Michelle, Tommy & Johnny Fox

"Kristie Girl" Ellis

February 10, 2011

Grandpa, I love you and will miss you so much. I'll always have the best memories of time spent with you. As a kid I loved packing my suitcase to go stay the night at Grandma and Grandpas, visiting you at work (where I stocked up on M&Ms out of the duck dispenser on your desk), and traveling to Florida to visit you where we searched for sand dollars and shells on the beach. I will always remember my nickname that you loved to call me, "Esmerelda P Jones," to which I'd only reply, "That's not my name!!!" I love you, and I know that you are in a good place now.

Danny Ellis

February 10, 2011

Grandpa,
You will be missed but I am certain you are in a better place now. Thank you for all the great memories that I have growing up with you in my presence. I will never forget searching for four leaf clovers, green alligators and longneck geese, and all the fun trips us grandkids had visiting.
Love and miss you,
Danny Boy

P.S. – I went skiing at Pine Knob in your memory the other day and a few of your old ski patrol buddies passed along a warm hello.

David Ellis

February 10, 2011

Salute to Sam --

He Only Takes the Best

God saw he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be...
So he put his arms around Dad and whispered, “please come with me”.

With tear filled eyes we watched him suffer and fade away...
Although we love him deeply, we could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands were put to rest...
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Dad, we honor your life and your memory.

Love, David

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