Edward Ellis Obituary

Ellis
Edward Lee
Ellis
May 25, 1925
April 11, 2024

Brigadier General Edward L. Ellis, USAF (Ret'd) of Colorado Springs, made his last flight on April 11, 2024. Ed was born May 25, 1925, in Drumright, OK. In 1946 he married Sally Lou Henry of Wanette, OK. Ed and Sally had many wonderful adventures during their 40 year marriage and Air Force life, which took them to New Mexico, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Germany, Texas, Colorado and Minnesota. Ed and Sally made their retirement home in San Antonio, TX in 1979. They had many friends they cherished and considered extended family.

Ed entered military service as an aviation cadet in June 1943 and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant in August 1944. He served in the Western Pacific flying the A-26 until he separated from the service in 1946. Recalled to active duty in 1951, he was a B-29 pilot with the 6th Bombardment Wing, Walker AFB, NM. From 1953-1958 Ed was a pilot and aircraft commander with the 22nd Bombardment Wing, March AFB, CA., flying the B-47. In 1958 he transferred to Barksdale AFB, LA, again flying the B-47. He entered the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL in 1960. June 1961 took the Ellis family to Ramstein, Germany where Ed was a member of the Seventeenth Air Force until June 1965. Ed was assigned to HQ Air Training Command at Randolph AFB, TX. In 1967, he became commander of the 3300th Support Squadron at Randolph AFB. Ed's next tour was in Viet Nam where he flew A-37 jet aircraft for the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa AFB. He was next assigned to HQ ADC in Colorado Springs as asst. deputy chief of staff for personnel. In August 1970, Ed was named commander of the 46th Aerospace Defense Wing at Peterson AFB, CO. Ed assumed command of the 23rd NORAD Region with additional duty as commander, 23rd Air Division, ADCOM in Duluth, MN in 1977. He was a command pilot, and his many military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Republic of Viet Nam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, Distinguished Service Medal.

He is survived by son Stephen (Cheri) of Omaha, NE, daughters Patricia (Mark) of Colorado Springs, and Kathryn (Steve) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. His wife, Sally Lou Henry Ellis, predeceased him in 1986.

Per Ed's wishes, all arrangements will be private.