Obituary of James Harold Ellison

James Harold Ellison was born on October 25, 1924, in Hubbard, Texas, the son of Lee and Dora (Runnels) Ellison. He grew up in Hillsboro, where he threw papers from his bicycle, worked in the general store and learned to play the trumpet. His large family home on Corsicana Street in Hillsboro was filled with brothers, sisters and their families, and is designated with a Historical Marker of the State of Texas. He attended Southwestern University, studying philosophy and theology. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and landed on Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945 where he served until World War II ended. He returned to his studies, attending and graduating from SMU in Dallas with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. As pastor of her family's church in Bynum, Texas, he met Lillie Marie Taylor. They married on April 16, 1949 at First Methodist Church in Hillsboro, Texas and had 2 daughters, Martha Linette and Mary Elizabeth, two grandchildren, Lisa Marie and James Aaron and 2 great grandchildren, Stephen E. III and Avery James. James earned Master of Theology degrees from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He was ordained as a minister in the Methodist Church and accepted appointments as pastor of numerous Methodist churches in central Texas including Northside Methodist Church in Georgetown at the age of 17 years, First Methodist Church in Bynum, a 4 point circuit based in Waxahachie, and First Methodist Churches in Bethel, Bartlett, Cleburne, Ranger, Olney, McGregor, Hurst, Stephenville, and Ridglea Methodist Church in Fort Worth. He was an associate pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston. He participated in fund-raising, planning and building of new church buildings in Cleburne and Hurst. Outreach mission work, both local and afar, was important to James. He served on the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church as well as other national committees of the Methodist Church. He served on local governing boards and was recognized as one who provided important clergy perspective and influence in matters of civil rights. He worked with community leaders and other clergy in city and county efforts to ensure and facilitate fair representation and treatment for all. He was recognized by the Fort Worth Police Department for his work in the late 1960's and early 1970's and by the City of Houston for his participation on the Police Advisory Committee in the 1980's. He raised funds to build a facility for worship, fellowship and sharing for the Emerson Methodist Mission congregation, comprised primarily of members of the Comanche Indian Tribe near Lawton, Oklahoma. The new building replaced a tar paper shack, which had no water or electricity. At the dedication, their leader, Morris (Sunrise) Tabbyyetchy and the tribe recognized James as an honorary Chief, with the name Sabacano, "wise speaker". They presented him with a Comanche chieftain's headdress made of matched eagle feathers with ermine tails. He later learned that his friend Morris Sunrise served as a code-talker in World War II. James recognized his talent in providing pastoral care and pursued that interest, attaining credentials for chaplaincy and serving as chaplain of John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth in the 1960s. He attained additional credentials as a Marriage and Family Therapist and pursued this ministry in his appointment at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston. We rejoice in memories of James Ellison. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and is remembered by many as a kind and giving man. Throughout his nearly 91 years, the church and communities of people were central to his life. In keeping with his talents in pastoral care, he assisted many in healing through the power of faith, theology and philosophy. He was quick-witted, with a great sense of humor. He loved to be with friends and family, and especially loved for others to enjoy stories about his life experiences. He enjoyed hiking, boating, the beach, golf and made 2 holes in one! He loved to drive others around any and everywhere, explore shortcuts and enjoy the surroundings wherever he was. His love for country was strong and rooted in the times that he lived and his military service and was manifested in his lifelong service to community and the needs of others. He recently shared a story that helped us understand his consistent emotional response to seeing the USA flag and to hearing The Star-Spangled Banner … After making camp on Okinawa, his unit realized that an essential box of important materials had been left on their landing boat and he was ordered to retrieve it. He recalled that he spent the night on the boat alone, bombs bursting in air, wondering what daylight would reveal. At dawn's early light, he was proud and comforted to see the star-spangled banner still waving. James died peacefully while sleeping on September 18, 2015, just a few weeks before his 91st birthday. A memorial service and celebration of James' life will be held on September 23, 2015, 11 am, in the chapel at Trinity Terrace, Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived for several years. Chaplain Tricia Baldwin of Trinity Terrace will officiate. We are sincerely grateful for the blessing of his presence with us for so many years and for joyful times filled with fun and laughter. Memories of James and his spirit live on with those whom he touched in many ways. He is survived by a daughter, Martha Linette Casey and husband Lanny M. of Azle, Texas, a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Edds and husband James Gregory of Magnolia, Texas, grandchildren, Lisa Marie Prather and husband Stephen E. of Missouri City, Texas and James Aaron Edds and wife Jessica of Tomball, Texas, great-grandchildren, Stephen Earl Prather III and Avery James Prather of Missouri City, Texas, and a niece, Edith Beutell of Lindale, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife Lillie M. (Taylor) Ellison, his parents, sisters, Fredda and Nina May, and brothers, Radney, Bishop and Malcolm. His family requests that memorials be directed to The United Methodist Committee on Relief (www.umcor.org) or a worthy effort of choice.