Merlin “Porkey” Ellis, Jr, age 73, passed away on Friday, July 5th, 2013 at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Merlin was born August 26th, 1939 in Springfield, Missouri to Merlin and Nadine Ellis. He was a long time West Tulsa resident. He graduated from Webster High School in 1957 and retired from Boilermakers Union Local 592.
Merlin enjoyed fishing, tinkering with cars, artistic welding, grilling and smoking meats. He was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family.
Merlin is survived by his wife of 24 years, Dorothy; sons Scott and wife Jamie Ellis of Pineville, AR; Melvin and wife Vickie Ellis & Darren and wife Tammi both of Chelsea, OK; daughters Audrey and husband Danny McHenry & Molly and husband Lee Garell both of Tulsa, OK; sister Barbara Kneedler of Tulsa, OK; brothers Elvin Ellis & Kirby Ellis of Tulsa, OK and Eddie Ellis of Dallas, TX; 13 grandchildren Rocky Ellis, Jennifer Imhoff, Christine Hamner, Blake Darby, Danielle Garell-Lacy, Andrew Garell, Scottie Ellis, Josh Ellis, Sarah Tracy, Sasha Ellis, Kenneth Guess, Christopher Bailey and Andrew Bailey; 16 great-grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews family members and friends. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents Merlin Q. Ellis, Sr and Nadine A. Ellis, son Christopher Allen and daughter Evelyn Rose.
Merlin was cared for at home under the supervision of Saint Francis Hospice for the last 7 weeks. The family would like to say a special thank you to his nurse Tina. We appreciate your kindness to Merlin and to us as his family. The family would also like to express a sincere “thank you” to anyone who has shown us such acts of kindness during this time of loss to our family. We are touched by the number of people who knew Merlin to be the Husband, Daddy, Papa and special person that he was. Merlin was a wonderful, loving and supportive husband and father. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Green Hill Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Steven Lacy officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM Monday and from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday. The family will be present on Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM to greet friends. The family has chosen to entrust the care of the service to the directors at Green Hill Funeral Home. 9182242312 www.greenhillok.com