Ralph Thomas Ellis passed away Thursday, January the 26th, after a period of age-related illnesses. Ralph was born February 1st, 1926, in San Angelo, Texas to Rose Mary (Tennyson) and John Robert Ellis. His almost 97 years were filled with happiness and purpose.

For most of his life, Ralph was active. He grew up camping, swimming, fishing, hunting, and participating in sports.

On graduating from San Angelo High School, he was drafted into the Army, where he served during World War II and the post-war occupation. His unit was among the first to cross the Rhine River, pushing over the damaged Remagen Bridge before it collapsed. After Germany surrendered, his unit patrolled the Autobahn connecting Berlin to the American sector.

Ralph used his G. I. benefits to attend San Angelo College (SAC). In addition to his studies, he played basketball. After graduating from SAC (a junior college), he got a basketball/track scholarship to Abilene Christian College.

During his college years, he met and married Ethel "Mac" McCleery. They were married until her passing in 2013.

Ethel and Ralph moved back from Abilene so that Ralph could help his father run the family's auto parts business: Ellis Parts Company. Eventually, Ralph bought the business from his father, and worked there until he retired in the late 80's.

Ralph earned extra money by officiating/refereeing numerous high school football and basketball games throughout West Texas. He also had the privilege to "referee" a Harlem Globe Trotter game. But Ralph did not limit himself to refereeing. He played semi-pro basketball into the mid-50's, and coached youth baseball and basketball teams into the late 60's. After he and Ethel moved to the Fairview community, Ralph helped the Fairview School to join Little Olympics. He also helped start a youth baseball program for the Fairview/Wall area, and helped work the score booth for Wall football games.

In his limited down time, Ralph loved to listen to music and read. He recorded streaming music and either put it on his iPod or burned CDs for friends. His taste was eclectic, including Classical, Country, Polka, 40's Jazz, and Rock.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Ethel, his parents, his brother Robert Al Ellis, and his sister LaVerne (Conkey) Tubbs. He is survived by his son Ralph (Ann) of Austin, his daughter Lisa Ellis of Georgetown, grandaughters Hether (Matt) Brown of Austin, and Nairn (Adam) Vaughn of Spicewood, and five great-grandchildren.

Our thanks to the MANY people and organizations that made our father's final years so much easier. These include, but are not limited to: Erica Proffer of KVUE, Tom and Diane Waters, Gary and Lana Henley, Paul Raley, Georgetown Police and Fire Departments, Williamson County Veteran Services, HEB Georgetown, Honor Flight Austin, and Operation Finally Home.

Ralph's ashes will be interred along with those of his wife Ethel in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. The interment occurs at 2:00PM, February 17th. Attendees meet in the cemetery's visitor center before 2:00PM. At 2:00PM, an attendant will guide the motorcade to the location for military honors, and afterward to the columbarium where the ashes will be interred.

Ralph requested that there be no service or flowers. Therefore, no activities are planned after the military honors and the placement of ashes.