Search Results

ELLIS -- JAMES NORMAN ELLIS retired MSGT. United States Air Force, Vietnam Veteran, and APS teacher for 22 years. was received into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 17, 2008, after a swift and sudden battle with cancer. Jim was the beloved husband and best friend, of Kathy, father/"pop" of Valerie Jean (Matthew) Janeway, Susie Smietanski, James (Lois) Ellis, Jr., Jennifer Warnock (Bryan Smith), Michael (Jessica) Ellis, Anjel (Brenda) Montoya, Joshua (Maree) Montoya, and Alicia (Devin) Pepper, His grandchildren are: Angela Alyward, and Michelle (Joseph) Merritt, Taylor Smietanski, Brian and Skylar Warnock, Sierra (Josh) Beck and Brian Rickenbaugh, Marissa, Michael, Mikayla and Joshua Ellis, DeLayne Martinez, Hope (Tim) Leddbetter, Junior Gonzales, Alexandria, Nicholas, and Logan Montoya, Josiah and Jeremiah Montoya, and Madilyn James Pepper. His great-grandchildren are: Mikaylah Leddbetter, and soon to be Morgan Renee Merritt: brother of Don (JJ) Ellis, and brother-in-law to Ronald and Sandra Gales. Born to Clara and Gordon Ellis in Mission, TX, Jim went "up North" to San Antonio when he joined the Air Force in 1959. During his Air Force career, he became a trained mechanic and later crossed trained to be a munitions specialist. In his 22 years he served in many parts of the world, including three tours in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He retired and moved to Albuquerque where he met and married the love of his life, Kathy. Together they received their undergraduate and graduate degrees in education at the University of New Mexico. They have worked in the APS system at Truman Middle School, Alameda Elementary, Ernie Pyle, and Van Buren Middle Schools, and for the past 11 years they have, together, been a part of the close and loving Sandia High School family. While Jim was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, in 1965, he met a missionary couple affiliated with Cadence International, Tom and Dottie Hash. He has always referred to them as his Spiritual Parents, because they led him to a close, personal relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. It was shortly after this time that Jim found a true calling: he always said his favorite thing during those years was teaching English to the Thai people at Bible studies. This was the motivation to start his second career in teaching. Jim was a man of many talents. When something was broken, we would all say, "Give it to Jim (Grampa), he can fix anything." He loved computers, woodworking, leather craft, swimming, scuba diving, traveling to visit children and grandchildren. One of his most gifted talents was in the field of singing. He was always involved in church choirs and various music events (two of his most memorable were at Sandia High School channeling Elvis and Johnny Cash). Jim was a friend to everyone. He was a kind and faithful man, who loved his wife as himself; loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with great joy; loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. He attended Calvary Chapel since 1990, and was blessed with a special kinship group of amazing Christians. A Military Service will be held at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. A Memorial Service will be held in the Patsy Giffin Theatre at Sandia High School on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Friends, family, current and former students are invited to attend. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 4900 Bond Court NW on Saturday, August 23rd at 3:00 p.m. Friends, students and family are invited to bring food, music, memories, and share in the joy of his life. Please contact the family at 379-0313, or 907-9415 if more information is needed. Online condolences: www.Reflectionoflife.com. The Salazar family of REFLECTIONS Funerals & Life Celebrations 2400 Washington Street NE 884-5777
        Published on: Tue August 19, 2008