Mr. Gordon Blake Ellis

Gordon Blake Ellis, 85, passed away on February 2, 2013 in Fullerton, California from complications due-to Parkinsons disease. Gordon was born on August 17, 1927 in Los Angeles, California to William & Wilhemina (Bach) Ellis. He is the father of three daughters, Karen, Phyllis & Wendy.



Gordon grew up in Los Angeles where he attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, and he graduated from Los Angeles City College with his Associates of Arts Degree. As a young man, he joined the United States Military serving in the Army Air Corps. During his military service he was a Weather Observer for the Air Corps. After his discharge from the Army he worked as an engineer for Rockwell. After many years in the aerospace industry, he was laid-off, leading him to purchase a hardware store in Whittier which he owned and operated for a time. He made his way back into the aerospace industry when he took a position with Boeing, which he would eventually retire from. Later in life, Gordon was married to Joyce Willits on March 21, 1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada.



Gordon loved life, and he was passionate about travelling. Gordon and Joyce were members of a Motorhome Travelling-Group called The Camplighters. Together they would visit destinations throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as down in the Southwestern States, including New Mexico, their favorite destination. Gordon, himself, was also a participant in the Great American Rally Race a classic rally for vintage cars that travels back-and-forth between the east & west coasts. He was known to drive a Model A, and he participated in the event almost 10 times.

Among other interests of his, Gordon was an avid outdoorsman. He was a hunter, taking trips to the Mojave Desert for small game hunts. His daughters also recount his affinity for skiing at places like Snow Valley, Mammoth and also the Sun Valley Ski Resort in Idaho. And one of his greatest loves was Ice Cream.



Gordon is survived by his wife, Joyce (Willits) Ellis; his daughters, Karen (Terry) Harstad, Phyllis Hutfless, and Wendy (Dylan) Rogan; and his grandchildren, Karlie (Charaf) Sekkat, Madeline Hutfless, and Devon Rogan. He will be greatly missed by his family, especially his daughters who say he was truly, The Best Dad.



A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 11:00AM at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601. Burial will take place at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA on Friday, February 8, 2013. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Gordon to the American Parkinsons Disease Association, online at www.apdaparkinson.org click Donate Now or send checks payable to: American Parkinsons Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305.