James Howard Ellis - Age 81 October 18, 1931 - February 26, 2013 James was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 18, 1931. Born the third of four children from his parents Harry Lynn Ellis and wife Inez Munn. James was a Veteran in the U.S. Air Force from 5/31/1950 to 8/1/1954, with duties in the A/2C 3616 Transron Division. He also Re-Enlisted back into the U.S. Air Force from 10/4/1954 to 4/18/1960, with duties as a Vehicle Operator in the 60350 Division. James served nearly 10 years in the U.S. Air Force. James was married to his wife Eldie Ruth Barnard on May 25, 1951. James was one who always worked hard to make his living. James was a mechanic and sales within the tire business as a manager. He loved horses very much, and had entered into various rodeo events. James also loved to play his harmonica and singing songs to his family. Later in life, James moved to Garland, Texas, and worked for AutoZone as a store manager for 14 years. James was well known for his management abilities throughout Autozone, that the Autozone's Corporate Offices has transferred James to other various stores to help build up their stores sales. James was a member of the Church of Christ of Buckingham. While living in Garland, James remodeled his house with the assistance of his son Stephen, Dan, and Danny, where a two-car garage, and a game room was built, and he did his own landscaping. He loved family gatherings and lots of BBQ's at his house, which also had a swimming pool and accessories. James also loved to play pool and ping pong. This was his plans for remodeling his house for the family gatherings. His favorite dogs was first Lash and then JJ. His favorite western actors were John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. James suffered from a stroke in June 2008, and has had a few other strokes later on. James moved to Richardson, Texas into a Senior Living apartments in January 2012. From then, he began to have other health problems. Around September 2012, James had a bladder infection and later found out that he had an abdominal aneurysm, which had gotten worse and needed immediate surgery. After the surgery, James was placed in rehabilitation, where he continued to have more health complications. After tests had been performed, it was discovered that James had bladder cancer. He had surgery in February 2013, but it was unsuccessful cause the cancer had rapidly spread throughout his bladder. This has cause a lot of pain and discomfort for him, so serious steps were taken to help relieve the pain. James has always had a since of humor and like to joke around, even while he was in the hospitals. To the doctors and nurses, James was a very special patient, and with his great since of humor and his jokes, they also loved him very much. His last wish was to be free of the pain and discomfort, so James was place in Hospice Care on Sunday, February 24, 3013. On February 26, 2013, James Howard Ellis, passed away, leaving his suffering body behind. James is survived by his younger sister JoAnne Banko. His former wife Ruth Ellis. His oldest daughter Lynn Gourley and husband Scott Gourley, their children Bryan Ellis and his sons Tristin and Bryce. Jeff Gourley and wife Tiffani, and Megan Gourley and her daughter Kendall. His oldest son Stephen Ellis. His youngest daughter Laura Martin, and her daughters Krislyn and husband Jay Goodson and their son Cameron, Ashley and husband Brian Cummings, and their daughters Makayla and Alyssa. His youngest son Robert Ellis and wife Lucinda, their son Riley, and daughter Delaney. His stepson Dan Heath and wife Miranda, their daughter Madilyn, and son Randy. The Viewing of James Howard Ellis, will be at Eastgate Funeral Home, 1910 Eastgate Drive Garland, Texas 75041; Phone: 972-270-6116 or 1-888-270-6116; Website: www.eastgatefuneralhome.com on Monday Evening March 4, 2013 between 6pm to 8pm. Funeral Service will be held at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, Texas 75211 LANE "B" ; Phone: 1-800-535-1117; Website: http://www.cem.va.gov on Tuesday March 5, 2013 at 1:15pm: Officiating by Richard Blaisdell. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Society.