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09/30/11 - NNHS Newsletter - Nelson Ellis
Nelson Gordon Ellis Newport News High School Class of 1956 |
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Dear
Friends and Schoolmates,
We have yet another sad edition of the NNHS Newsletter this Friday morning.
Nelson Ellis,
star athlete of the
Class of 1956, brother of
Don Ellis ('58) of VA,
Barbara Ellis Preece ('62) of VA, and
Chris Ellis ('64) of VA, passed away of renal cell carcinoma in Newport News on
Wednesday morning, September 28, 2011,
at the age of 73.
From Frances Heath Scott ('62) of VA - 09/28/11, 4:05 PM - "
Nelson Ellis":
From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 09/28/11, 6:25
PM - "
Nelson Ellis, Class of
1956":
From Joe Drewry ('58) of VA - 09/28/11, 9:17 PM:
Thank you for letting me know, Carol.
I have several NNHS alums that I
promised I would keep informed of Nelson's condition. Sad but
expected.
Certainly, Joe - my
condolences on the loss of your schoolmate.
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From Brenda Hudson Ramsey ('64) of VA to
Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA -
09/28/11, 10:46 PM:
Just received word that
![]() ![]() ![]() Brenda
Thank you, David - and Brenda.
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From Joe Drewry ('58) of VA to Members of the Class 0f 1958 (and others) -
09/29/11, 7:47 AM - "
Nelson Ellis, NNHS
1956,
passed away Wednesday morning, 9/28/2011":
Nelson passed away at his daughter's home. The arrangements are
still in the process of being put together and an obituary is being
prepared. Tentative plans to celebrate Nelson's life include:
Visitation - Sunday evening at 7:00 PM at Peninsula Funeral Home - -
- the service will be on Monday morning at 11:00 - Northside Church
of Christ on Rt 17.
Nelson's family and friends who have been so supportive through
his illness know that he is in a better place, even though, his
presence is already being missed by all who were close to him
Many of our NNHS1958 class were close to Nelson. His brother Donald
is our classmate and both were starters on State Champion Basketball
teams that are such a memorable part of our legacy.
A quick review of some of Nelson's connections with our NNHS58
basketball memories:
1954 NNHS JV Basketball Team:
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1955 NNHS Varsity Basketball
Team:
1956 NNHS Varsity Basketball Team
Nelson's continued contributions to basketball officiating have been
chronicled in recent Daily Press articles in links below:
May you, as you
continue the journey, find your days filled with happiness and
fun...
Thank you so much for
compiling this valuable record, Joe.
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From the Daily Press - 09/30/11:
Nelson G. Ellis
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Nelson remained active in sports
during his banking career. He began officiating local basketball games in 1962,
advancing on to be a distinguished Division I College Basketball Official for 15
years. In 1981 Nelson was elected commissioner of the local Peninsula Board #125
of basketball officials, serving in that capacity until his retirement in March
2011. He also worked with the Peninsula Softball Umpires Association for 20
years.
Published in the Daily Press from September 30 to October 1, 2011.
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September 30, 2011
I'm so sorry
to hear of Nelson's passing. I remember when I was
younger and still playing a lot of softball, Nelson and
Don were two of the best umpires out there. My thoughts
are with the family during this time.
September 30, 2011
Nelson will
be greatly missed by everyone who has ever come into
contact with him. Basketball Officials on the Peninsula
was his passion. May he rest in peace.
~ Armand (Buzzy) Blanchard September 30, 2011
My memories of
Mr. Ellis will always be of our fireworks in the driveway
and the cookouts our families shared. He would always wave
on his way out, and his words of encouragement will never be
forgotten. My prayers are with your family now for you are
with the Father.
September 30, 2011
To the Ellis
Family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Nelson
Ellis. My prayers go out to you and your family. May God
bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
September 30, 2011
SO SORRY TO
HEAR ABOUT NELSON - HE WAS MY DAD'S COUSIN (STEPHEN B.
DELK, JR.) MY DAD PASSED AWAY IN 1994 - THE FAMILY
ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT HIS BASEBALL PLAYING -
HE IS WITH THE LORD NOW.
To Mrs. Ellis, Donald, Chris,
Barbara and Trici, We want to tell you how nice Nelson was. We went to NNHS together. I would see him often at the health club and knew how proud he was of his family and grandchildren. He was a good person to talk with and we had a lot of nice chats. Much love from Mickey and Carol Marcella ~ Mickey and Carol Marcella
I will always remember Mr. Ellis
with fondness and appreciation.
I think of him often and always
smile as I remember his cunning
remarks whenever I would ask him
a question related to a game
situation. He will be missed by
me and fellow officials in many
ways. May God Bless his family
and yours. ( Basketball
official).
My sincere condolences to the
Ellis family. I was a member of
Peninsula Board 125 in the
1990s, and always had great
respect for Nelson and his
commitment to our officiating
community. May God bring you
comfort and peace. God Bless.
To the Ellis Family, Deeply
saddened to hear of Nelson's
passing. He was a life long
friend and will be missed by
many.
To the Ellis Family, I am
sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. To God be the Glory for the
things he has allowed Nelson to have done and the lives that he has
touched as he has walked this side and now he has crossed to his
heavenly home where he has found peace from the sufferings of his
illness. May God bless and keep you all doing your bereavement.
~ Basketball official, Walter Hamlin & Family
To the
entire Ellis family: Our sincere condolences to each
of you. Everyone who knew Nelson really appreciated
him. He was always kind and friendly. I work
part-time for Peninsula Funeral Home and will be
working there for the visitation. I will work the
funeral as a volunteer for our church, Northside
Christian. We are all saddened by his passing;
however, he is in a better place with no suffering.
God bless each of you, Fred and Patty Andrews Mays (N.N.H.S., '60 & '61)
To the
family and friends of Nelson Ellis: We are sorry to
hear of Nelson's passing. May God comfort you during
this difficult time.
My
thought and prayers are extended to the family and
friends of Nelson Ellis. He will be remembered by
many as a fine man with a true love for athletics
and the people who play the games we all love. God
Bless Nelson and others like him.
By far
the most compassionate and professional commissioner
I've ever worked for. Nelson was in the business of
working with and helping people. He was so welcoming
when I moved to the Peninsula and made me feel right
at home in my new association. I last spoke to
Nelson a few months back and of course even retired,
he was more then willing to help me. I feel honored
to have worked for such a special person. To his
family, thank you so much for sharing Nelson with us
(the Officiating & Sports Community) for so many
years and my thoughts and prayers are with you
always.
My
thoughts and prayers are with Nelson's family. He
will truly be missed by all the people who's lives
he has touched. He has given many people the
opportunity to succeed during the past 30 years that
he served as basketball commissioner. Thanks Nelson
for being my mentor during those years.
To Nelson's
family, Please accept my sincere sympathy and God's
blessings. I am in Tennessee visiting family and found out
about Nelson on-line. Nelson and my husband, Ray, were
friends growing up in Newport News. Ray died in 1996 so I'm
thinking they are enjoying each other's company once again!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Although we can't be
with you while you remember your loved one, you're in our thoughts
from afar. To the Ellis family my
prayers are with you in this time of sorrow, Nelson will be missed
greatly. To the Ellis Family, So sorry to hear about
Nelson. We grew up together in East End and played sports together
as kids, then double-dated as teenagers. He was a great friend and
will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
October
02,
2011 Chris and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Nancy & Louis Burks, Richmond, Virginia To the entire Ellis
Family, My condolences.
Nelson was a very gentle
and compassionate man who affected more lives than he probably knew.
He will be remembered as a leader and regarded with the highest
respect for many years to come. Rest easy, Nelson, and thank you.
Nelson will be greatly
missed. This community has lost a great man, his hard work and
dedication to high school basketball touched so many lives. My thoughts
and prayers are with the Ellis family.
October 03, 2011
Donald and Chris, I was sorry to hear about the passing of Nelson. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. October 04, 2011
Ellis Family,
So sorry to hear about Nelson passing-he was a wonderful co-worker and friend-so sorry I was out of town-My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time-I will never forget what a wonderful person he was and his smile. ~ Bobby and Sandy Faison, Newport News, Virginia October 05, 2011
I was deeply
saddened to learn of Mr. Ellis's death and I would like
to express to you my sincere sadness and sympathies to
you and your family at this difficult time on behalf of
the Braithwaite family. Our thoughts and prayers are
with you and your family at this time. With Sincere
Sympathy. Michael
October 05, 2011 I was so sorry to hear about Nelson. I was out of town. I remember all the times when I was at Mrs. Ellis's house in Stuart Gardens. My prayers are with all of you. October 05, 2011 ![]() |
Our deepest sympathies are extended to the entire Ellis family and their many friends at this difficult time.
This information is also posted here:
http://nnhs65.com/memoriam-all.html
http://nnhs65.com/memoriam56.html
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have
Buckroe!Love to all, Carol
==============================================
NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley Harty
Onward Christian Soldiers
Words by Sabine
Baring Gould in Church Times, 1865
Music (St. Gertrude) by Arthur S. Sullivan, 1871
Onward Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
2. At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundation quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
Chorus:
3. Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Chorus:
4. Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and Honor,
Unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
Men and angels sing.
Chorus:
"Onward Christian Soldiers" midi and lyrics courtesy of http://ingeb.org/spiritua/onwardch.html - 04/16/07
Greg Olsen Paintings courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 01/27/05
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04
Marine Corps Seal clip art
courtesy of the late
Herbert Hice of MI
- one of my
Famous Marines who served in the South
Pacific during WWII.
Thanks again, Herbie!!
Army Seal clip art courtesy of Al Farber ('64) of GA - 05/24/06 (still
missing...)
Thanks, Al!
Replaced by Norm Covert ('61) of MD - 02/09/09
Thanks, Norm!
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06