Thomas Selby Ellis III

1940 - 2025

Hon. Thomas Selby Ellis, III

May 15, 1940 - July 30, 2025

Ret. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Selby "Tim" Ellis III passed away peacefully at home in Keswick, VA, on July 30, 2025, at the age of 85.

Judge Ellis was born on May 15, 1940, in Bogotá, Colombia. His family lived abroad in locations throughout Central and South America, returning to the United States when he was a teenager and living in several states here before his graduation from Greenwich High School in Connecticut. He attended Princeton University on a United States Navy ROTC scholarship, graduated in 1961, and served as a Naval aviator until 1967.

Judge Ellis's squadron, the VF-74 "Bedevilers," was the first to deploy with the Navy's now legendary F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber. That Judge Ellis flew the supersonic Phantom off of aircraft carriers was no surprise to anyone who traveled with him in a car. He did not believe in braking and lived at warp speed.

Judge Ellis always said that being a Navy fighter pilot was the only job he ever wanted, but life and his vision exams had other things in store. The path toward what he later described as the only job for which he was suited began in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Judge Ellis graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1969 and was awarded a Knox Fellowship for study in England, where he received a Diploma in Law in 1970 from Magdalen College, Oxford.

His next stop was the law firm of Hunton and Williams in Richmond, VA, where his whirlwind legal performance earned him the nickname "Tazmanian Devil." At Hunton, Judge Ellis distinguished himself as a gifted commercial litigation partner in numerous complex cases. But he always maintained his greatest achievement was remaining employed after he and another lawyer lost Lewis F. Powell, Jr. 's briefcase. That briefcase contained tax returns needed for the future Supreme Court Justice's pending confirmation hearing. He viewed this as a testament to the kindness and restraint of Mr. Powell. The time spent in front of Mr. Powell's desk, relating the mishap and awaiting the outcome, may be the only minutes of Judge Ellis' legal career that ever moved slowly. He remained at Hunton until 1987.

In that year President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Ellis to his position as United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. Known as the "Rocket Docket" for its speedy adjudication rate, the Eastern District was the perfect home for "Taz." He was a demanding jurist with a strong courtroom presence. In his 38 years on the federal bench, he struck fear in the hearts of many unprepared attorneys, and inspired and encouraged many more to rise to the occasion. He was a dedicated mentor, especially for his 80 law clerks. Judge Ellis took immense pride and pleasure in his law clerks and the other members of his court family, sending each of them off into the legal world with invaluable experience and celebrating their successes. He also famously cried at their weddings, especially when he was the officiant.

Judge Ellis often was asked which aspect of his judicial career made him most proud. His answer was immediate, and involved none of the many significant cases he heard throughout his long tenure. His law clerks and court family always came first. Second were the naturalization ceremonies he conducted. Judge Ellis believed wholeheartedly that the new citizens assembled before him represented the United States at its best and most promising. Spanish was his first language, and he took pride in learning words of welcome in multiple languages to offer the attendees. Frequently there was laughter at his mispronunciations, but always there was joy and celebration. And always his reminder to each new citizen that our freedoms came at great cost, and that with citizenship comes great responsibility. Judge Ellis served his country well.

Judge Ellis was preceded in death by his sister, Eve Brookie Adams Jr. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Rebecca; his sons, Alexander (Amy) and Parrish (Caroline); and grandchildren, Jacob, Sarah, and Grady.

In keeping with Judge Ellis' wishes, there will be no memorial service. Family and friends will gather in remembrance at a future date.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff and volunteers at Hospice of the Piedmont (hopva.org) who were there at every step along Judge Ellis' final journey. Should you wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider this worthy organization.