Melville James ‘Jim’ Ellis Melville James...

Melville James

‘Jim’ Ellis

Melville James “Jim” Ellis, who is said to have so genuinely

connected with people that he never felt he met a stranger, died last

week at UCI Medical Center in Orange. The Newport Beach resident was

59.

At a memorial service on Sunday at Irvine Presbyterian Church,

loved ones shared stories about how funny he was, how much he smiled

and how ready he was to find most everything about life a delightful

adventure. Mr. Ellis collapsed Aug. 13 at his insurance firm in

Orange. It is undetermined still how Mr. Ellis died, but his wife

says the passing was sudden.

Mr. Ellis is also remembered for being an avid golfer, sailor,

traveler and wood craftsman.

He has left each of his four daughters with a wooden recipe box

meant to be given at their weddings. Only one is already married and

another will marry next month.

Mr. Ellis is survived by wife Jacquie Ellis; daughters Lauren

Sipelis, Rebecca Ellis, Leigh Ellis and Jaimee Ellis; stepdaughters

Toni Bradley and Tiffani Lewis; father Melville Joseph Ellis; former

wife Sharon Ellis; sister Marjorie Downes; and granddaughters Katie

Bradley and Emily Bradley.

Family members ask that donations, in place of flowers, be made to

the Jim Ellis Memorial Fund, c/o Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County,

2540 N. Santiago Blvd., Orange, CA 92867.