Ellis, Elmer Thomas

Elmer Thomas Ellis, 85, affectionately known as Bud, passed away Monday, February 11, 2013. Born and raised in Pulaski, he was the son of Sidney and Lois Ellis. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers, Sidney, French, Bill and Bobby Ellis. Bud was a World War II veteran, who proudly served in the United States Navy, then became a lifelong resident of Salem, where he worked at General Electric and retired after years of service. Bud had a passion for cars and hunting. It was often joked that if it had a steering wheel or horns that he could drive it, fix it or hunt it. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, father-in-law, friend and great paw paw who will be dearly missed. Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Linda Ruff Ellis; sons, Gary D. Ellis, Danny E. (Yoshiko) Ellis, Jerry T. (Lora) Ellis and a daughter Christy (Ellis) Robinson. Also surviving are sisters, Mary (Walter) Helton and Kay (Gary) Doyle. Bud also leaves grandchildren, Gary (Denise) Ellis Jr., Jerry T. (Angela) Ellis Jr., Christopher T. Ellis, Rachael (Ellis) Wood; great-grandchildren, Shelby Ellis, Bonnie Ellis, Hailey Ellis, Autumn Wood, Devon Wood and Brittany Wood. The family would like to acknowledge John McCloud and Wade Dougherty, two very special friends. Services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2013, at Simpson Funeral Home with Pastor Michael DuVal officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.