September 11, 1943 - November 06, 2017
Paul J. (Jim) Ellis (Age 74) passed away suddenly at his home in Spokane on November 6, 2017. Jim was born to Paul J. Ellis and Betty Lou Wallace on September 11, 1943 in Murfreesboro, TN. After Jims father died when he was 7 years old, his mother, Jim and brother Russ, lived in several places, including time spent in Boise, Riggins and Lucille, Idaho, before settling down in Spokane Valley. Jim attended Valley schools and graduated with the class of 1961 from Central Valley High School. He then went on to graduate from the University of Washington. He was proud to be a CV Bear and U of W Husky. Out of college he worked for Boeing, but never felt at home in an office. He went back to U of W and earned a teaching degree, and that is where he found his true calling. Jim taught middle school English and poetry in Sedro Wooley, WA and in the early 70s moved to Cusick, WA, teaching in the schools there. At the time of his passing, he was a much-requested substitute teacher with Spokane Public Schools. Jim touched many people in his life because he was a friend, teacher, carpenter, neighbor, writer, poet, son and brother. Most of all he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Jim leaved behind his wife of 41 years, Karen Ellis, step-sons; Jason (Brigette) Pulliam of Colbert, WA, and Tom (Johanna) Pulliam of Bend, OR, brother Russ (Trish) Ellis of Kona, HI, sister Kerri A. Rogers of Garden City, ID, along with 4 grandchildren; Matthew and Kaylie Pulliam of Colbert, WA, and Olivia and Tate Pulliam of Bend, OR. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul and his mother Betty Finks. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 12:30 PM, at the Sunset Chapel, inside Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley, with a reception to follow at 2:00 PM at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt. - What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson
