Jimmie L. Ellis

Jimmie L. Ellis departed this world peacefully on January 13, 2025. Jimmie had been residing at Gran Villa on Tyler in Coffeyville, Kansas for the last 6 months.

Born on August 14, 1935, in Independence, Kansas, Jimmie was one of thirteen children, and he was the last surviving member of his family. He grew up in the surrounding area, moving from Independence to Dearing and eventually to Coffeyville, where he completed his education

After the death of Jimmie’s father, he moved into the position of helping provide for the family. At an early age he learned the importance of being a man of integrity and being a hard worker. As a young adult he began his working career at Greeley Gas in 1952, and though the company changed hands over the years, his commitment to his work never changed. Going through three different buyouts he retired in 1997 with Atmos Energy where he had a combined 45 years of service. He also spent numerous years helping local farmers with planting, and harvesting their crops after he got off work and his vacation time was spent farming for extra income. 

Jimmie took Mary Elma Harman’s hand in marriage in 1952 and of that union four children were born, Rickie, Jimette, Debra and Donald. Jimmie and Mary purchased a house in Coffeyville where they raised their family. Though their union dissolved in 1974 their love for their children remained.

Jimmie met his long-time companion Jackie Hughes and the two never married but spent may years together enjoying each other’s companionship. He eventually left his home on Penn Street and resided with her just west of Coffeyville where she preceded him in death. Jimmie was able to sustain independent living until 6 months ago. 

Jimmie was a self-taught jack of all trades. He could fix or engineer anything except for TV Repairs he left that to the repairman. If he didn’t know how to do something he sought out individuals or resources that could teach him how to do it. 

He taught his children values they cherish still to this day, if you start something finish it, be a person of your word, if you make the commitment follow through, take responsibility for any of our wrong doings and lastly always be on time. Jimmie also encouraged his kids to be hard workers, it was important to him to be a good provider and for them to be able to support themselves as adults. 

In his retirement years he enjoyed having more time for hobbies he was passionate about. Jimmie was an active coon hunter and enjoyed the companionship of his coon dogs. He gave up coon hunting when his legs couldn’t make the journey over the challenging terrain any longer. He then began raising racing mules, traveling to Ruidoso, New Mexico to race his favorite mule, Dipstick in one of the first ever Mule Races, winning first place. After traveling around to different races became difficult, he took up Coyote hunting and helped a friend Gerald Wehmeyer at the Coyote Pin a Coyote Dog training facility Coffeyville, Kansas.

Jimmie’s legacy will live on through his family that he loved deeply, son Rick Ellis (Sherry), daughter, Jimette Palasota, daughter, Debra Warner (Chuck), and son Donald Ellis (Judy), grandchildren Crystal Ellis-Mann, Homer Knisley and Joshua Warner, several great and great-great grandchildren, he also had a great love for Jackie’s children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Roscoe and Myrtle Ellis, first wife, Mary, companion Jackie Hughes and twelve siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 10am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville,  Pastor Randy DePriest will be providing the eulogy. Friends may call on Sunday January 26, from 2-4 to pay their respects to the family. Jimmie will be laid to rest at Robbins Cemetery following the funeral services. In leu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to be made in Jimmie’s memory to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and they may be left in care of the chapel. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or view live streaming of the service visit https://www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com/obituaries/jimmie-ellis