Auto dealer Jack Ellis dies

Marianne Love

GLENDALE -- Jack Ellis, a longtime Glendale civic and business leader

and a founding member of the Glendale Partners, died Thursday from

complications following surgery.

The 67-year-old died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he had been

transferred following surgery two weeks ago at Glendale Adventist Medical

Center.

Ellis served as president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, the

Glendale YMCA’s board of directors and the Glendale Motorcar Dealers

Assn. He was also a founding member of the Glendale Partners in the early

1980s. Glendale Partners is a business group that promotes civic pride

and community issues.

“Jack was a real leader in promoting Glendale and Brand Boulevard,

especially,” said Jarrett Anderson, a Glendale attorney and executive

secretary for the Glendale Motorcar Dealer Assn.

Anderson said he knew Ellis for 30 years. They were close friends.

“Jack was president of the association and a strong believer in

community service and a well-respected auto dealer who provided a lot of

leadership,” Anderson said. Ellis purchased his first Chrysler auto

dealership in Glendale in 1968, which he has since sold. Seventeen year

ago, he bought Glendale Dodge, and two years later purchased Ellis

Chrysler/Plymouth in Canoga Park, which his son now owns and operates.

“I never look at him as a competitor; our products completed, but we

were friends,” said Steve Bussjaeger, co-owner and vice president of Star

Ford. “I’ve known Jack for the last 15 years. As for my memories of Jack,

he loved life, he was always up and always positive. He always had a

smile on his face.”

Ellis was survived by five sons, five grandchildren and his wife

Margaret. The couple lived in Westlake Village. Ellis was introduced to

Margaret by her mother, who sold newspaper advertising, Margaret Ellis

said.

“I was a stewardess with American Airlines based in Texas,” Margaret

said. “My mother brought me into Jack’s shop because I was looking for a

car. We dated for five years before we were married. We just celebrated

our 25th wedding anniversary in September. “

Although the family lived in Westlake Village at the time of his

death, Ellis owned several homes in the Glendale and La Canada Flintridge

areas.

When friends and business associates speak about “the man of his

word,” they mention his smile, his leadership gentlemanly qualities and

love for Glendale.

Ellis was known as an avid golfer. As a Glendale business owner, he

had an ongoing relationship with Glendale city officials and worked

toward efforts to improve the downtown area.

“He has been a very participative individual in a number of efforts to

improve the city as a whole,” said Assistant City Manager Bob McFall. “He

has been an real contributor, and he has invested significantly in a

positive way with his time. This is quite a shock and a loss to the

community. He was a friend to the city and the community.”

Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird echoed those remarks and said he

viewed Ellis as an active, supportive leader who looked for positive ways

to maintain a vibrant, effective business community in Glendale.

“This is a tremendous loss, not only to the auto dealers but also to

the city,” Starbird said.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Glendale, following a burial in

Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial-Park. The family suggests memorial

contributions in Ellis’ memory can be made to the Glendale YMCA, 140 N.

Louise Ave., Glendale, CA 91206.

For more information on services, contact Glendale Dodge at 242-4161.