Donald Carlisle Ellis

Donald Carlisle Ellis, was born on January 9, 1924 in Canby, MN, the son of Carl and Nell Ellis. He lived a full, happy life of 94 years before passing away at his home on September 27, 2018.His family knew that Don was blessed to be smart, funny and talented from the get-go. He won a county fair art contest at age 6 and with his fifty cent winnings bought his first of many flights on a barnstorming biplane. He would combine his passion for art and airplanes throughout his life culminating in a series of large paintings showing planes in flight over land and seascapes.Before serving in the 66th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II, the Army Special Training Program sent him to Lincoln, NE. While studying at the University of Nebraska, he met a lovely art teacher named Marian Hatten. After marrying in 1946, Don got his private pilots' license and they began their 51 years of marriage by buying a yellow TaylorCraft airplane even before they bought a car.Don graduated with a degree in Fine Art in 1949 and that same year joined a Lincoln advertising agency. During this time, he and Marian also started the Design-Line Company, making hand-screened fabric and ceramic jewelry which was sold throughout the U.S. He would later become founder, partner and creative director of Swanson, Sinkey, Ellis Advertising.Don also enjoyed teaching courses in layout, production and design at the College of Journalism at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He continued to paint, becoming an expert in casein media and acrylic. His paintings are included in both private and corporate collections.Don was a member of the American Business Council of Nebraska, the Association of Commerce and Industry, the Nebraska Art Association, First Presbyterian Church and the Board of Consultants for Southeast Nebraska Community College. He was a past president of the Lincoln Cosmopolitan Club and was Advertising Club of Lincoln person of the year.Don and Marian moved to Sun City West, AZ in 1988 and he opened the Ellis Art Studio, supplying the community with much of the creative design seen in local ads, logos, cards and brochures for businesses, organizations and individuals. As a member of Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, he designed their logo and many of their printed pieces. Don belonged to the Sun City West Rotary and produced their newsletter for a number of years, adding his humorous "Ellis On Wry" witticisms, one of which quipped, "When it comes to gevity, I prefer the longer form." He got his wish.Don is lovingly remembered by his daughters Jan Perry of Norwood, NC and Jeanne Ellis of Peoria, AZ, grandchildren Jeffrey Kohl of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK and Jennie Kohl Roark of Lincoln, Nebraska, four great-grandchildren and his sister, Marilynn Curry of Ames, IA.The private memorial service is for family only, but remembrances and condolences can be posted at www.caminodelsol.com.