Melvin Junior Ellis was born on Sunday, September 25, 1932 in Wylie to Melvin Levi Ellis and Lee Etta (Reynolds) Ellis. He passed away at the age of 85 in Wylie on Thursday, August 16, 2018 with family members at his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents Melvin Levi Ellis and Lee Etta (Reynolds) Ellis, wife Pearlie Mae (Rollins) Ellis and brother Bobby Ellis.

He is survived by his son Richard Ellis of Wylie, brothers Kenneth Ellis and Raymond Ellis both of Wylie, sister Betty (Ellis) Baric of McKinney, and numerous other family members and relatives that loved him dearly.

He graduated high school from Wylie in 1951. After graduating, he helped his father drive 18 wheeler trucks delivering corn and pickles. In 1953, he was drafted by the Army where he mastered the art of cooking. While in the army, he received the National Defense Service medal and the Good Conduct medal. He was honorably discharged in March, 1955 and married Pearlie Mae (Rollins) Ellis on July 16, 1955.

He and family members built the home in Wylie on Third Street that he and Pearlie and their son Richard lived in, and hosted many Thanksgivings and Christmases where he got to show off his cooking skills – especially cornbread dressing, homemade macaroni and cheese, and strawberry cake. They attended Lakeview Baptist Church where he was baptized.

He took such wonderful and loving care of his family and never ever had an unkind word to say about anyone. When overseeing the service station his motto was "the customer is always right." I will never forget the year I was working at JC Penny's during the Christmas season and there was ice on the roads. Uncle Junior took me to and from work in his Ford Bronco.

He could fix or build just about anything. He was a wonderful welder and built horse trailers and smokers that he sold in his spare time. Many folks in the Wylie area have called on him at one time or another to fix their TV.

His career included overseeing the service station in Wylie at the corner of Hwy 78 and Ballard Street, the Ford Motor Company, sheet metal fabricating, roofing & guttering, he worked at LTV in Greenville TX and the Wylie Supermarket. His last employer was the North Texas Municipal Water District where he retired after working for them for 17 years as a Water Plant Operator. He was so proud when he obtained his Class B Operating License.

Right after retirement you could often find him out on the side of a golf course picking up stray golf balls with his son Richard or grocery shopping at Brookshire's. Before his health started to decline, he loved to cook, work in his garden, can fruits and vegetables, and go out to eat Mexican food. Normally in the evenings you could find him talking on his Ham Radio with his P.O.N. buddies. He was an avid fan of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys, and he loved to watch Patton and Rambo.

You flew to heaven on the wings of angels until you reached the pearly gates and met Jesus. I have no doubt that at the moment you are probably painting Aunt Pearlie's toenails bright pink. We will think of you often and the impact you had on our lives. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. Goodbyes are not forever and are not the end, it simply means we'll miss you until we meet again. All my love, Pam

Donations can be made payable to his surviving handicapped son, Richard Dale Ellis at Inwood National Bank at 200 S. Hwy. 78, Wylie TX 75098 or at any Inwood National Bank location.

Visitation for Melvin is scheduled for Sunday, August 19, 2018 from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. at Allen Funeral Home.  Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, August 20, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at the Wylie Cemetery. Dr. A. L. Draper will officiate.