Mr. Ellis Conrad Anderson

Ellis Conrad Anderson 20 May 1935 - 21 May 2016 Anderson, Ellis “Brother” by his siblings was born and raised in Hardee County, Florida. He proudly served 20 years in the Navy to the rank of CWO-2. In 1954 he married Charlie Sue Gay. Ellis and Sue spent their next 57 years together (she having passed away in 2011) raising their family of four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In 1972, after multiple duty stations and family moves all over the country, Ellis retired from the Navy and settled in Tampa where he began his second career as a Master Electrician. Ellis had the rare distinction of simultaneously being the toughest man, the best fisherman, and the smartest person in any room he was in. He could repair any mechanism engineered by man; had been known to teach dogs to say “I love you;” and was extremely light on his feet while on the dance floor. Through his character and integrity, he both commanded and taught others the meaning of honor and respect. Although many regarded him as stubborn at times he was what he referred to as being determined. He was a man of great integrity and how he conducted himself, he modeled to his children what it meant to be a man. He was disciplined and principled and patriotic and resolute. He was an amazingly steadfast and stoic man who could easily be transformed into a big ol’ teddy bear simply by a smile from one of his grandkids. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Thursday, May 26 at the Blount and Curry Funeral Homes, Oldsmar/West Hillsborough Chapel, 6802 Silvermill Dr., Tampa. Family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will take place at 1:00pm at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell with full military honors. Online condolences can be made at www.blountcurrywest.com. Dear Lord, we give you Papa -- try not to pi$$ him off.