Ellis Lee Renfro Jr.

It is reported that he was born at home on a library table. He was born into a family of 5 girls, and his dad was thrilled to at last have a son. Les moved a lot during his childhood living in various states, including, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and eventually California. He attended the Christian church as a toddler and often said, "I was part of the cradle roll," when as a toddler it was reported he climbed out a second story window and was on the church roof. He was safely rescued. He liked to explore, and see new places even as a child. This continued until he became too sick to travel.

On New Year's eve 1955 he met his soon to be wife Barbara Langwell. In June 1956 they eloped from California to Yuma, AZ in 110 degree heat with $20.00 in his pocket.. On the trip back home to California he realized he was scheduled to report that day for National Guard service for 2 weeks. Ellis spent his honeymoon with 2,000 other servicemen.

Ellis worked as an apprentice painter to follow in his father's profession, but decided this was not what he wanted to do. Being able to repair and fix most things he eventually worked in hospital plant operations where he continued to work until his retirement in 1998 from Cooks Children's Hospital due to kidney failure. He was on dialysis for 5 years, and through many illnesses survived to receive a priceless gift of a donor kidney from Erin, his youngest daughter. He was thankful for Dr. Afolabi for his care, enabling him to survive 14 more years. Les loved to "get people going", and would often say things just to stir things up! Then he would sit back and watch the fireworks. When the family lived in Quincy, CA Les would go out into his backyard, near the neighbor's house, and crow like a rooster to wake the neighbor. It did not matter if it was 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. He loved to make animal sounds! He would constantly repeat this irritating act apparently thinking it was quite funny. Johanna, our neighbor; however, did not think this was funny at all.

Ellis had gone to church off and on since a child, but in August 2017, with firm conviction and a repentant heart, was baptized into Christ. He had such a peace following this and yearned to go "home", even though his health continued to deteriorate, he became quite a prayer warrior. He would tell all he came in contact with, "I am praying for you." These were not empty words! He often could be heard in the still of the night praying in the name of Jesus for all those he loved. He loved to listen to gospel songs, loved to listen to the Bible on audio, and especially loved to see whatever painting Barbara was doing.

He is loved and missed by his wife, Barbara of 63 years; 3 daughters, Becky and her husband Larry, Janine and her husband Richard and Erin and her husband David; son, David Ellis; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jamie, Jason, Jessica, Lane, Lorene, Nathanial, Miranda, April, and Mitch; many great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; former son-in-law Lane, and Christian brothers and sisters.

Winter is over for Ellis. He looked forward to this final journey, and we rejoice he is finally "HOME".