John Dean Ellis

John Dean “J.D.” Ellis, 88, of Elk Park, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. He was born on December 12, 1923, a son of the late John Wesley and Bessie Hampton Ellis.

Ellis was also preceded in death by his sister, Pauline and brother, Clark.

Ellis was a proud US Army Veteran of World War II having served in G106th Infantry and being held a Prisoner of War in Germany. He was the last surviving Charter Member of the Pat Ray Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #4286.

Along with his mother, he owned and operated the Store at Heaton until 1974. He also owned and operated Leon Holder Wholesale.

Ellis was an avid fisherman and golfer.

He was a life long member and Trustee of Heaton Christian Church. For many years he served the community as a member of the Avery County Board of Education, Avery Development Corporation, Avery County Bank, Banner Elk Bank, Sloop Memorial Hospital, and the Selective Service Draft Board.

Ellis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Annie Ruth Eller Ellis; children, Pat Edwards and husband, Gary, of Elk Park, Pam Jameson and husband, Charlie, of Roan Mountain, Tenn., David Ellis and wife, Kathy, of Elk Park, Jane Bumgarner and husband, Chris, of Heaton; sisters, Mary Evelyn Martin and husband, Curtis, and Helen Ellis; grandchildren, Meredith Edwards Marinelli, Caroline Edwards Turner, Megan Edwards, Johanna Jameson, Annie Ellis, Katie Ellis, Carter Bumgarner, Cassie Bumgarner, Luke Tatum, Molly Tatum Nelson, Tina Jameson, and Scott Jameson; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Services for Ellis were held 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012, at the Heaton Christian Church with Mr. Durl Jones Jr. officiating. The family received friends beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Interment followed in the Elk Park Cemetery on Brooks Shell Road with military honors provided by the members of the Pat Ray Post of the VFW.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Heaton Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 217, Elk Park, N.C. 28622.

Condolences and memories may be shared at http://www.rsfh.net.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Ellis family.