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On the 19th day of August 2023, Donald “Jack” Ellison, 77, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed peacefully at home with his daughters, sister and niece by his side. Born June 4, 1946, in Carter County, Tenn., he was the son of the late James Ellison and Stella Roberts Ellison. He was a loving husband to the late Norma Jean Ellison for 43 years. He was a kind, patient father, papaw, and great-grandfather.
Jack served our country honorably and heroically with the U.S. Army 1st Infantry “Big Red One” from 1968-1969 in the Vietnam War.
He worked as a tool and die maker and machinist at BUD Company and Snap-on Tools. He shared a passion for plants with his late wife; they owned and operated Ellison’s Greenhouse and Homestead Gardens Greenhouse since 1976. His hobbies included fishing, camping, and traveling across the country with his wife. It was his great joy to share the many stories of their travels and he lovingly recounted his wife’s joy and excitement as they traveled together. After her passing, he, his sister Verna, and late brother-in-law Ronald continued traveling across the country together. His last trip out west with family was just months prior to his passing. This love of the outdoors and traveling to beautiful destinations was passed on to his daughters and grandsons. He cherished the many memories that were made on the boat fishing and traveling in the camper while enjoying time together with family and friends.
Jack was a member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tenn. His fatherly Christian example is one of his greatest legacies. He found true joy in spending time with his family and friends, spoiling his daughters, and bragging about his grandsons. The true light of his life was his sweet little great-granddaughter, Mira. She filled his life with smiles and love. His sense of humor and orneriness were never-ending. He always made his family and friends laugh and kept them on their toes! He always made time to visit family because he knew how important having these relationships are.
He is survived by his daughters, Sarah Ellison of Elizabethton, Tenn., Cherie Ellison of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Crystal Ellison of Johnson City, Tenn.; grandson, Caleb Smith and his wife, Gjovhanna, and great-granddaughter, Mira, of Virginia Beach, Va., and grandson, John Cathey III of Johnson City, Tenn.; sisters, Norma Parrish of Piney Flats, Tenn., Bonnie Parrish of Johnson City, Tenn., and Verna Livesay of Central, S.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
His brothers, James Ellison, Carnie Ellison, Mack Ellison and Lonnie Ellison, and sisters, Betty Hare and Cynthia Elkins, preceded him in death.
A special thank you goes to the VA nurses and doctors, Kaitlin, Brenda, Megan, Katy, and Dr. Star.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate the life of Donald will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Randy Johnson and Rev. Mark Potter officiating. The family will receive friends between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service. The graveside service and interment will follow in the Lyons Chapel Cemetery, Dry Creek Road. Active pallbearers will be Caleb Smith, John Cathey lll, Ron and Dylan Stewart, James and Zachery Parrish, Dwight and Stephan Parrish, David Woods and Jonathan Presnell. Words of comfort can be sent to the Ellison family through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643, (423) 542-2232, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Donald “Jack” Ellison.