Jesse Lee Ellis, Sr. was born September 8, 1940 in Brownwood, TX and went to be with the Lord January 22, 2016. In the summer of 1953, Jesse and his 3 younger brothers came to live in Collegeport, TX with their loving adoptive parents W. L. and Rosalie Nelson Ellis.

Jesse graduated from Palacios High School in 1960. After graduation he joined the Navy and served for 4 years. He then completed a degree in Industrial Arts Education from Texas A & I in Kingsville, TX. Jesse was an educator, drilling fluids engineer and owned and operated his own pest control service.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Johnson Ellis; sons Jesse Ellis, Jr. and wife Sherri of Plainfield, IN and William Ellis and wife Lisa of Corpus
Christi, TX; brother Tommy Ellis and wife Pat of Palacios; sister-in-law Dollee Ellis of New Braunfels, TX; two grandsons Adrian Ellis of Indianapolis and Sean Ellis and wife Erika of Little Rock, AK and three great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jerry and Gilbert and sister-in-law Linda.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Collegeport where he served as elder, treasurer and Sunday School Teacher. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, RV'ing and playing guitar.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 3PM until 6PM Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Palacios Funeral Home. A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Palacios with Rev. Kathy Vineyard officiating. The family invites you to a time of visitation and refreshment immediately following the service in the fellowship hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Marty Brewer, Richard Conger, Russell Corporon, Victor Corporon, G. W. Franzen, Mason Holsworth, Buddy Lenz and Mark Merck.

Memorial donations may be directed to: First Presbyterian Church; PO Box 75; Collegeport, TX 77428, Houston Hospice-El Campo; PO Box 1417; El Campo, TX 77437 or The Heritage Center; PO Box 16; El Campo, TX 77437.