John Wesley Ellis
August 28, 2017
John Wesley Ellis, Jr.,81, passed away peacefully at his home in Gainesville, Virginia on Monday, August 28, 2017, at 7:55 A.M. He was surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife Helen English Ellis, of Gainesville, Virginia; six children: John Ellis III, Todd Ellis, Darcy Ellis, Harvey Ellis, Ruth Ellis David and Rodney Ellis; twelve grandchildren; a brother, David Ellis; a sister, Mary Jane Wedding; and a host of extended family and friends.
Born in Evansville, Indiana, John was a graduate of Indiana University, and earned his medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He held a Master of Public Health from The Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Business Administration from Marymount University.
A Colonel in the US Air Force, he graduated from both the Air War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. After serving as a Strategic Air Command flight surgeon at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, he practiced family medicine in Lubbock, Texas, and then in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to active duty as Special Assistant for Medical Programs, and was named Command Surgeon for Air Force Reserve, Headquarters, USAF, Pentagon, at which time he and his family relocated to the Washington DC area. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 and continued to work as a consultant and expert witness in a wide range of medical cases, as well as emergency room physician. He last worked for the Department of Labor as a reviewing physician for a program analyzing the health effects of radiation exposure on WWII atomic bomb workers.
He was contribution author to several scientific and professional articles and text books, author of Running Into Trouble, and a novel, Full Moon Saturday Night.
He was active in Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Manassas, VA.
A memorial service will be held at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main Street, Manassas, VA on September 20, 2017 at 3 p.m.. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.
He is survived by his wife Helen English Ellis, of Gainesville, Virginia; six children: John Ellis III, Todd Ellis, Darcy Ellis, Harvey Ellis, Ruth Ellis David and Rodney Ellis; twelve grandchildren; a brother, David Ellis; a sister, Mary Jane Wedding; and a host of extended family and friends.
Born in Evansville, Indiana, John was a graduate of Indiana University, and earned his medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He held a Master of Public Health from The Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Business Administration from Marymount University.
A Colonel in the US Air Force, he graduated from both the Air War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. After serving as a Strategic Air Command flight surgeon at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, he practiced family medicine in Lubbock, Texas, and then in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to active duty as Special Assistant for Medical Programs, and was named Command Surgeon for Air Force Reserve, Headquarters, USAF, Pentagon, at which time he and his family relocated to the Washington DC area. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 and continued to work as a consultant and expert witness in a wide range of medical cases, as well as emergency room physician. He last worked for the Department of Labor as a reviewing physician for a program analyzing the health effects of radiation exposure on WWII atomic bomb workers.
He was contribution author to several scientific and professional articles and text books, author of Running Into Trouble, and a novel, Full Moon Saturday Night.
He was active in Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Manassas, VA.
A memorial service will be held at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main Street, Manassas, VA on September 20, 2017 at 3 p.m.. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.
Service
John Wesley Ellis9350 Main Street
Manassas, Virginia 20110
September 20, 2017
A good friend from boyhood.a fine man and a fine doctor. A big influence on my life and many memories of a wonderful life. His passing leaves a big hole which can’t be filled. God bless his loving family and May Jesus embrace this wonderful soul. Belden and Rae Bell
I’m sure that everyone Dr. Ellis has worked with would say that they are thankful that he was born and chose to work in a career helping people; it suited him brilliantly. I will miss him being on this earth; but will toast him on a life well lived when I see him again. His jovial personality is one that I never shall forget and I will cherish the memories I have of working with him at the Department of Labor in Florida. Arlington National Cemetery is gaining an incredible man; he will be honored every day; as it should be!
It was an honor to know John Ellis. I know I am a better person after I worked with him. To all his family and friends please accept my condolences.
John was a genuine and caring human being. It was my pleasure to have spent time working with and learning from such a fine and patient gentleman. Gods Blessings to his family.
My condolences to you and your family. Dr. Ellis was a great man and a beautiful person. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work with him at the Department of Labor. He will be miss.
To the family of Dr. John Ellis: I worked with Dr. Ellis in the Department of Labor’s Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. Dr. Ellis advised many of the claims examiners on medical procedures, medical diagnoses and conditions affecting our claimants that worked in the nuclear energy program. He was sensitive to the needs of our claimants and instrumental in assisting many of us in adjudicating compensation for our claimants. He will be truly missed. For the family, my prayer is that you will find solace and comfort in the days ahead. May GOD continue to keep you all in HIS care. Sincerely, Sharon Richardson Office of Workers’ Compensation U. S. Department of Labor
Dear Helen, Your husband was an outstanding man who contributed so much to others. This is a hard time of life for us all I think losing so many loved ones. I hope the love of your family , friends and God will hold you close and bring support and comfort to you. Bonny Denton McGarity. from Miller High School
Doc Ellis was my friend in the Air Force Reserve as well as both of us serving active duty time in the former Strategic Air Command (SAC) where I was station at Mather AFB, Ca. He was a friend to all and cared little for your rank or position in life; rather he focused on mutual respect and being your friend. I will miss my friend and pray for his family that God will send the Holy Spirit to comfort them in this time of need. Rest well my Friend.
Dr. Ellis wasn’t just a big hearted, friend-to-all loving man—he is responsible, in part, for the Department of Labor’s Energy Employee’s Occupational Illness Compensation program we have today! Dr. Ellis was one of the physicians on the panel reviewing cases when the Congressional leaders developing the legislation for the updated program contacted him regarding causation wording. Dr. Ellis told them it would be almost impossible to establish that a toxic substance actually “caused” a condition. He suggested that if they wanted to establish a claimant friendly program that they include in the legislation the wording that a toxic substance “contributing to or aggravating” a health condition on an at least as likely basis. He noted that it would allow reviewing physicians to consider the overall effects of toxic substance on conditions. So, we have the wording we do in the Program today because of Dr. Ellis! Not many people knew of his contributions. Just think how many thousands and thousands of people he has helped because of that! Millions have been paid to these people and they received the health care they needed in their time of need. He was an amazing man and will be truly missed! Prayers to his family for his loss.
Helen so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Miller love, Rita King McKemy
My deepest wishes to his entire family and host of friends for comfort at this time. May his joyous spirit be with all of you forever. It was an honor to know him and I always enjoyed listening to him when he spoke about his love for his family and life experiences.
While there is no way I can feel your pain, I do feel your loss as I have known Dr. Ellis for many years. Peace and love to you and your family during this sorrowful time. a��With deepest sympathy, Sherri Murphy Office of Workers’ Compensation U. S. Department of Labor