Allan Osmond Ellis, age 87, of Evanston, passed away on April 11. Born in Bickersteth Parish of St. James Jamaica on Sept. 4, 1936, to Alfred and Christiana Ellis, Allan earned a track scholarship to Philander Smith College in 1957. He transferred to Arkansas State and graduated with a degree in agronomy and a minor in chemistry. After earning a master’s degree at DePaul University, he became a teacher in the Evanston Public School System where he taught at Chute Middle School for more than 25 years.
He was fiercely competitive regardless of the game, winning countless tennis trophies, poker matches and games of spoons, heckling his grandchildren in the process. He liked to win, and he liked to gloat. It was not at all uncommon for him to take his students out to the basketball court or the track for an impromptu challenge. Allan made a big impression on his students, going beyond math lessons to engage them in conversations to prepare them for life. His former students’ success was a source of joy for him.
A fiercely proud and inspirational man, his greatest pride was the success of his children and grandchildren. He loved his family beyond all else and wanted the best for them.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Susan Ellis nee Cutting, daughters Pamela Ellis, Amy Ellis, Kathryn Ellis (Troy Hunter), and Marcy Ellis-Williams (Keith Williams) and grandchildren Shayne and Cody Simon and Jackson and Julia Williams.
Visitation, services and interment have already taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Connections for the Homeless (2121 Dewey Ave., Evanston IL 60201), Attn: Development Team.