Jimmy L. Ellis, Sr., age 73 years, passed away on Thursday afternoon, July 19, 2018 at Great Bend Regional Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas after a brief illness. Jimmy was born on September 5, 1944 at San Mateo, California to Richard L. and Lucille (Titsworth) Ellis and moved with his family at an early age to Great Bend. He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1962, was united in marriage to Vera Carver on September 12, 1959 at Hoisington, Kansas. He owned and operated Ellis Welding and Fencing in Great Bend for over twenty-five years. Jimmy then went to work for Great Bend Packing in the Maintenance Department, where he worked for just short of twenty years before they ceased operation. In his younger years he and his family spent much of their spare time at Lake Wilson. Jimmy loved fishing and playing poker, and played in Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments right up until his last illness.

Jimmy is survived by four sons: J.L. (and his wife, Cindy) Ellis of Colby, Kansas; Darrell Ellis of Great Bend, Kansas; Todd (and his wife, June) Ellis of Great Bend, Kansas, and Michael Ellis of Dodge City, Kansas; nine grandchildren: Michelle, Keith, Joshua, Tyler, Matthew, Dylan, Dustin, Derek, and Dakota Ellis; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary Ellis of Great Bend, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera (Carver) Ellis on November 8, 2005; his parents; and one brother Walter “Holly” Ellis.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 23, 2018 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas with Pastor Larry J. Schumacher officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery north of Great Bend, Kansas. The family requests that Memorial Contributions may be made to the Jimmy L. Ellis Funeral Expense Fund. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.