Gerald H. Ellison M.D.

Gerald was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, on August 11, 1940. He knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to be a doctor. He never wavered from that goal. In 1966 at the age of 26 he earned his doctor of medicine from Loma Linda University in California, being recognized as an Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society member. After passing his American boards, Gerald moved to Vancouver, Canada where he completed his internship, two-year residency in internal medicine and his Canadian boards.

Because he loved working with all age groups from babies to the elderly, Gerald became a family physician. He began his practice of medicine in Canada, transferring to Yakima, WA, in 1975, where he first went into solo practice and then into practice with Dr. William Robinson. He later became a partner at Cornerstone in 1996. From the very beginning of his practice, he developed a loyal group of patients who stayed with him through the decades.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Gerald retired reluctantly in 2010 at the age of 69. He learned everything he could about the disease, working closely with his doctors to stay strong and healthy and to manage a later diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. He walked, rode his bike, and exercised at the gym.

Throughout his life, Gerald loved spending time with his family who adored him. He spent every spare moment in family activities—working in their small apple orchard, biking, hiking, backpacking, traveling to scenic parks, and racing go-carts. He loved nothing better than being around his family and friends. He cared nothing about status; his faith, family and work provided him with every happiness.

Because of his strong work ethic and compassion for everyone with whom he came in contact, he became the person sought after for advice and expertise. He served on boards at the Seventh-day Adventist Church & school and within the community. He became the Medical Staff President at Memorial Hospital in 1998 and was respected for his gentle, wise leadership.

Family members have often had complete strangers stop them to say how much they loved Gerald. Nurses often comment that he was consistently kind and respectful of the work they did. He treated them as equals in the healing process. Former patients tell family members how much they miss their favorite doctor. All who knew him say they trusted him implicitly, relied on his thoughtful advice, and appreciated his habit of analyzing a problem in a completely non-judgmental way. Gerald’s faith was central to his life and practice and he often prayed with his patients. He built people up through praise and encouragement.

Gerald leaves behind Deanna Ellison, the wife he adored and relied on for 53 years, three children: Donna Trammell and her husband Mike, Doug Ellison and wife Mandi, all from Yakima, as well as his daughter Dalee Fleury and husband Ryan from Bow, WA, and eleven grandchildren. His sister, Joyce Wallewein and husband Norman live in Yakima, and his sister, Marilyn Glaim and husband Lorne, live in Calistoga, California.

Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday July 8, 2016 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. All are invited to a Celebration of Life at 3:00 p.m. Saturday July 9th at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 507 North 35th Ave., Yakima. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerald’s name may be made to Cottage in the Meadow in care of The Memorial Foundation, 2701 Tieton Dr., 98902. To share a memory of Gerald, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.