James Sherwood Ellis
April 14, 1955 ~ October 14, 2020
James Sherwood Ellis, age 65, left this earth to be with Jesus on October 14, 2020. He was born in Dallas, Texas but lived the majority of his life on acreage outside of Waco and then in Arizona and the Texas hill country. He enjoyed organic gardening, building small engines and computers, reading and researching, woodworking, welding, and re-engineering just about anything to make it “better.” He also dearly loved God and the family he always said was “on borrow from The Lord” for him to care for.
James or “Jim” is survived by his brothers Robert and Dwane Ellis; wife of 40 years, Rhonda; his daughters Sarah Ellis, Jaime McLeod, and Diane Turner; son-in-laws Gerhard Albrecht, Keith McLeod, and Gregory Turner; grandsons Ellis and Harper Turner, Chandler and Colton McLeod; granddaughters Mallory McLeod and Melina Albrecht; and extended family and friends. James is reunited with his father and mother Robert Sr and Charlcene Ellis who preceded him in death.
James Sherwood applied himself in many interests even at the early age of 14. He was given an opportunity to work in Grand Prairie, Texas and become a business owner at the young age of 16. This later made local and state news, complete with an article in the newspaper and even a TV appearance to encourage others to apply themselves and help others in life. He used the small engine lawnmower shop he owned and renamed AAA Lawnmower Hospital as a stepping stone before joining the United States Air Force. He became part of the distinguished Green Berets, always teaching and challenging himself in all he set his hands and mind to while at work and even at church. At church is where he spotted his honey, and they had a whirlwind of a romance, eloping within months of their first glances and starting their family together.
He had a way of touching people’s lives in incredible ways and after just six years in the US Air Force he became a biomedical engineer where he repaired CAT scanners and medical equipment used to save lives on a daily basis. He also taught Sunday school for a time and went on a number of mission trips. One special trip with the local Baptist church was in Guatemala, where he helped build an entire orphanage. They taught the teenage boys how to assist their construction crew and in doing so, taught them skills to change the trajectory of their future.
He changed the trajectory of so many peoples' lives as he lived and breathed, and we all can hope his laughter, jokes, and love he shared with so many continues on in each of us who knew him.
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I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, Dad, brother, Grandpa, and friend.
Yes, he was indeed a blessing. We crossed paths while he owned AAA Mower Hospital. I was 15. He introduced me to small engine repair, taught me many things about life along with logical thinking to successfully repair Mower’s. He also laughed when I shocked myself on the plug wires.
Here we are 48 years later. My career is completely different, but those lessons were never forgotten. For the last 4 years or so, I have once again taken up small engine service, keeping costs low for clients, and passing along the blessings he started in me.
In conclusion, know that his legacy continues, and I am profoundly grateful to the Lord for putting that man in my life so many years ago.
I also pray you are blessed with another story of someone touched by Mr. Ellis.
Blessings!
Don Wilcox