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Obituaries

John Wharton Ellis Jr.

08/27/1945 - 09/23/2021

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Obituary For John Wharton Ellis Jr.

John “Johnny” Wharton Ellis, Jr., 76, of Sherman, died on September 23, 2021 at Baylor Heart and Vascular Center in Dallas, Texas. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman. His daughter, Jenny Catherine Jones will officiate.

Johnny was born on August 27, 1945 in Sherman to Dr. John Wharton Ellis, Sr. and Ruth King Ellis. He was raised in Sherman and attended Sherman public schools before attending and graduating from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. After graduating from TCU, Johnny received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to Sherman to practice law for over 46 years. Johnny and his first wife, Marilyn, raised three boys, John Wharton III, Benjamin Tisdale, and Thomas King. He met and married the love of his life, Julie Eidd Ellis on August 14, 1997 and along with this union came his only daughter, Jenny Catherine Jones.

When his father, Dr. Ellis passed away, Johnny assumed the role of the Patriarch of the Ellis family. Family was very important to him and that included extended family and protecting their legacy. Johnny loved golf and all his golf buddies. Anyone who knew Johnny, knew that another pastime of his was pushing people’s buttons just to see the reaction. Those who really knew him, understood that it was all in love.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Julie Ellis Starr. He is survived by his wife, Julie Eidd Ellis of Sherman; 3 sons: John Wharton Ellis, III of Little Rock, AR, Benjamin Tisdale Ellis and wife Elaine of North Shields, England, and Thomas King Ellis of Sherman; daughter, Jenny Catherine Jones of Garland, TX; 5 grandchildren: John “Jake” Wharton Ellis IV, Tucker Stutts Ellis, Rebekah Osprey-Ellis, Reagan Baker Ellis, and Logan Mitchell Ellis; a brother, Henry Bone Ellis and wife Flory; 4 nieces and nephews: Brandon Ellis Starr and wife Laura, Flory Ellis, Virginia Ruth Grubbs and husband Steve, and Dr. Henry B. Ellis and wife Kacy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ARF House at arfhouse.org, or to donor’s favorite charity. You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.

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Condolences

  • 10/04/2021

    Doyle Martin

    I went to Sherman High School with John back in the sixties. During that time I considered John a good friend. We did a lot of things together with me, Lynn Montgomery, Tommy Smith and others. Oh what a bunch of characters that was back in the time. I lost contact with John after my graduation but always remembered him as a fun guy to be around. One of the good guys to meet again someday in a better place Doyle Martin

  • 10/04/2021

    Janis Gray Thompson

    Johnny helped me in many instances over the years which made legal issues bearable. He was funny yet stern and always alerted me to the proper ways to respond. When he had his first heart attack and stayed in the hospital where I worked I was able to get even. Loved that bear. I will miss him

  • 10/04/2021

    Suzanne Bailey Dougherty

    Johnny and I were square dance partners in the sixth grade at Fairview Elementary. Our principal Mr. Giles was a square dance caller and he taught our class to square dance. I think Johnny and I were paired because we were both short. We had matching costumes and our class danced for many functions around Sherman. I remember Johnny to be lots of fun with a good sense of humor in addition to a good square dancer. My condolences to your family and may Johnny Rest In Peace in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Do-Se-Do and Allemande Left. Nice memory

  • 09/29/2021

    Michael Emory

    John was my fathers lawyer for as long as I can remember, we always enjoyed our lunches with him at the City Limits.

  • 09/29/2021

    Bret Clark

    My sorrow and condolences to the Ellis family. Johnny had a unique personality and I love playing golf with many of his golfing buddies and I was lucky enough to be one and have countless memories of those times. Rest in peace journey you will be missed by many. Bret Clark

  • 09/29/2021

    Margaret

    Sincere condolences to john's family. He was a memorable person as as well as an attorney. I think the term "He lived large" definitely applies ot John Ellis. There were numerous memories - many of which involved soccer games in which my sons and his were players, one game partifulaly that invovlved a broken collar bone and Johnny's assisance on the spot. Margaret Green Grynwald

  • 09/29/2021

    David Hall

    Johnny and I lived right behind each other growing up, those are good times to remember. When we did see each other it seemed like memories of those days would be part of our conversation. I didn't see Johnny as much in later years but I was always glad when I did. God bless Henry and the rest of Johnny's family for their loss, he will definitely be missed. Sincerely, David.

  • 09/28/2021

    Joe Fitzsimmons

    I went to school with Johnny and I remember well when he got a Studebaker Avanti. It was quite a car.

  • 09/28/2021

    Robert Stoolfire

    Johnny was one of a kind. He was a founder of "The Quarter Game" and later, "The Ellis Game." Both are still active in some form or fashion. He was my lawyer for 40 years, lots of golf trips. A special guy. I miss him.

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