The family of Ellis Aaron Hackler is saddened to announce that he passed away on Sunday afternoon October 16, 2016. You may have known him by a different name. Some called him Hack, others called him Ellis. Many people over the years referred to him as Reverend Hackler or Pastor Ellis. All that knew him well called him a friend.

Ellis was born in the small town of Pittsburg, Texas on March 7, 1942 to Juanita Woodfin and Ellis Aaron Hackler, Sr. He was married to Sandra McPherson of Fort Worth, Texas on May 18, 1963 and was the father of Raymond Ellis Hackler. He later married Deanna Lynn Wallace of Searcy, Arkansas on April 6, 1973 and adopted her two sons James Ray Benton, Jr. and Donald Mark Neace. Ellis died on Sunday at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, Texas while doing one of the many things that brought him joy (and frustration), watching the Dallas Cowboys.

Ellis is predeceased by his father, Ellis Aaron Hackler, Sr; his mother Juanita Woodfin; his sister’s Peggy Braudaway and Gaynel Lloyd and his first wife Sandra. He leaves behind his loving wife Deanna Hackler; his three sons Raymond Hackler, Jim Benton and Mark Neace; his wonderful daughters-in-law Chelsea Hackler, Keerti Joshi and Lori Huffstutler; and four fantastic grandchildren Rachael Hackler, Audrey Hackler, Mary Hackler and Maxwell Neace.

Ellis received his Bachelors in Counseling degree from Cal State Hayward in 1994, earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in 1996, a Masters of Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1998 and achieved a Doctorate of Pulpit Communications degree from Trinity College in 2001. He proudly served his country as a Navy Corpsmen from 1962 thru 1965 in San Diego, CA. Throughout his life, Reverend Hackler served in many churches including Texas, Oregon, Louisiana, Ohio and California. Through his passion of preaching, teaching and counselling he touched many lives across the United States and made countless friends who he loved so dearly.

Dr. Hackler’s deepest passion was for the role of fathers and husbands in the Christian home, and this was the foundation of his success as a Christian counselor. This role was a natural outgrowth of his love for his own sons and his desire to help them grow into strong, capable, and dependable Christian men. He was the author of "Mantracks: a Rite of Passage Program for Christian Men". "Mantracks" outlined his idea for a process and ceremony to recognize adolescent boys into manhood, something he did for all three of his beloved sons.

A Memorial Service for Hack will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Life Community Church of Sunnyvale located at 425 East Hwy 80 in Sunnyvale, Texas. As the final wishes of Hack were for cremation, there will be no viewing or graveside services. The family asks that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be submitted via https://www.gofundme.com/InMemoryOfHack

The Family will arrive at the Church by 10:30, for those that would like to visit prior to the service. Coffee will be provided.

Our family appreciates your continued friendship as well as your spiritual and emotional support during this difficult time. God Bless You!