Byron Lorene Ellis

Born on January 12, 1966 at Malstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana, he was the son of the late Robert Sr and Minnie Pearl Ellis.

He was very close to all of his family including his grandparents in Mount Calm where he spent most of the holidays growing up. This is where he learned to fish and became a lover of the great outdoors.

Byron never met a stranger. Even from a young age, he was able to empathize and identify with everyone. He had the gift of making people feel welcome and never got caught up in cliques. These strong connections turned into long-term friendships like Ryan Frields who was with Byron until the very end, Rick Reyna who was a neighbor of Byron’s and Jerry Moran, Rick’s brother-in-law and so many more………Byron always saw the good in each person and never had a bad word to say. His distinct voice and contagious laugh were Byron’s trademarks. Byron had a very kind heart and never wanted to disappoint anyone by turning down an invitation. He would say, “Ssssssss, I don’t know. Let me get back with you.” It was his gentle way of rejection with a coded NO.

Byron attended Dobie Middle School where he played football. A middle school friend shared a story about Byron’s beautiful singing voice. Byron sat behind him in class. Reunited by Peaches and Herb was the song serenaded throughout the school year. His classmate liked Byron’s voice, but not the song so much. Byron then attended Del Rio High School for a couple of years and graduated from Samuel Clemens High School in 1984. During his school years, Byron developed a strong sense of fashion that was all his own. This continued into adulthood. Tony Parker was one of these admirers and complimented Byron on his fashion sense.

After high school, Byron joined the Gillman family. He started in Make Ready and then became an Inventory Control Manager. Byron was like a human computer remembering where every car was located on the lot. He was a dedicated employee for over 30 years. Remarkably, this was his one and only job.

When Byron wasn’t working at Gillman, he could be found camping, fishing, wheeling and dealing at the local flea markets, swinging his clubs at the driving range or watching his favorite sports teams on TV while hanging out with friends and family. Tops on his list of teams were the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros.

Byron cherished his friendships both old and new. All of these amazing friends are near and dear to his heart from the school classmates, to his work buddies from Gillman Honda, to his friends from his favorite watering hole at Chacho’s, to his fishing buddies, to his Fiesta friends and so many more……………..

The Ellis family would like to give their heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at Methodist Texsan Hospital and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital for their tireless dedication in providing our beloved Byron with the best care.

Byron was an Angel walking on earth and now he is an Angel in Heaven watching over all of us.

He is survived by brother Robert Jr (Sylvia) of San Antonio, sister Wanda Johnson (Clyde) of Converse, brother Michael (Anita) of Hubbard, TX, brother Scottie of Mount Calm, TX, honorary brother and cousin Chico Ellis (Maria) of Schertz, nephews Patrick Ellis (Anjelica) of Tyler, TX, Clyde Johnson, Jr. (Samantha) of Cibolo, TX, Lorenzo Simmons (Val), Waco, TX and host of relatives and very dear friends.

Visitation will be on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 5:00-9:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Rd, Universal City, TX 78148

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Colonial Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.