Charles David Ellis' Obituary
Charles David Ellis passed away peacefully on April 17, 2023, at his Apple Grove Alzheimer’s
Residence. He was 83 years old. Dave was the only child of Mary Louise and Milford Earl Ellis
and was born in Indianapolis, Indiana where he lived until moving to Orlando, Florida in his
teens and where he graduated from Edgewater High School. Dave’s love for sports that began
back in Indianapolis where his track and field talents began to develop, continued in high school
in basketball and track and successfully brought a state championship to Edgewater High. That
then took him on to Florida State University where he also ran and lettered all four years. He
completed with the Memphis Runners and U.S. Masters Track and Field Teams running in events
and meets throughout the United States and Canada and represented the United States in the
World Masters Championship in Turku, Finland in 1991. David is preceded in death by his
parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Glenda Graham Ellis, sons
David Jeffrey Ellis (Pamela) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Derek Sean Ellis of Memphis,
granddaughter Olivia Layne Ellis and grandsons Davis Lloyd Ellis and Samuel Graham Ellis and
cousins and nieces and nephews in Indiana and California.
Before his retirement, David was a Manufacturer’s Sporting Goods Representative in the
southern states for various tennis and running companies. As an avid sportsman, he also played
tennis and golf and especially enjoyed his days with the Frozen Chosen Golf Group from his
church, Balmoral Presbyterian. Dave and Glenda enjoyed travels within the United States,
Canada, throughout Europe, Russia and China and they especially loved their summer trips with
their grandchildren when they were able to be kids again.
Special thanks and recognition are extended to the staff, caregivers and nurses who provided for
David with such loving and respectful care at Apple Grove and those from Hope Hospice.
Funeral services to celebrate David’s life will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 pm at Balmoral
Presbyterian Church at 6413 Quince Road, Memphis, TN 38119. The family will receive guests
for visitation at 2:00 pm prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Balmoral Presbyterian
Church or the organization of the donor’s choice.
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be
able to separate us from the love of Godin Christ Jesus our Lord.
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