Mike Ellis, 65, a longtime High Springs resident, departed this life on Friday, December 6, 2019.
Michael Branch Ellis was born September 8, 1954, to Howard & Beneva Branch Ellis in Atlanta, GA and grew up as a child in Alpharetta, Georgia where his father was employed as an Eastern Airline pilot out of Atlanta.
After the family moved to High Springs, Florida, Mike attended and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1972 and attended Lake City Community College and Santa Fe Community College earning an Associate of Arts degree in chemical engineering. He was employed in April 1974 at Prime Conduit, Inc. (“Carlon, the PVC pipe plant”) until his early retirement in 2009. For the last 10 years, in semi-retirement, he continued his love of work and solving problems as a consultant in the pvc industry with companies such as Carlisle Construction Materials, Mohawk IVC; plastic mixing industry sales with Exline, Inc., and assisted with plastics automation at Northwind Technical Services. Mike’s latest jobs carried him to 22 states meeting new aspects of pvc (flooring, roofing) and computer automation.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of High Springs, Florida, Mike was a member of the youth department, then College & Career class, and as an adult he joined the adult choir, served as a choir leader, served on the youth committee, properties committee, was a teacher for a boys Sunday School class, and a Deacon of First Baptist Church.
Mike and Gwen also served many years at First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Beach where Mike led worship as music director serving with Pastor Carlos & Diane Perez. He was also a deacon of First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Beach.
Mike is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gwendolyn Sands Ellis, a brother-in-law, Elmo Douglas, a nephew, Brent Ellis Douglas (Amy, and children, Jarrett & Rebecca) all of High Springs, Florida, and Bethany Douglas Wise (Tony, and children, Faith & Grace) of Georgetown, Kentucky. He is also survived by two godsons, Derek & Dusty Brooks. and two cousins, Jane Butler (GA) & Jack Ellis (TX). “Uncle Mike” also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and loved ones.
In an instant Mike joined his mother and father, sister Barbara, sister Donna Ellis Douglas, brother Jerry Ellis, and sister Marilyn Ellis. The family circle us now complete.
Mike loved life to the fullest and didn’t sit still long. His love of fishing and hunting, tractors, cars & trucks, radio controlled airplanes, playing bass guitar, hard work, and helping others, but mostly loving His lord is a great legacy to leave for us all.
Mike was a many things to all of us, a friend, a partner, a Christian. He will be missed.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 10 from 6-8 pm at the Evans Carter Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 11 am at the First Baptist Church of High Springs. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Baptist Cemetery at 2 pm.
