Kenneth "Kenny" "YMCA Man" Ellis

Kenneth “Kenny” “the YMCA Man” Ellis, 89, of Amarillo passed away Monday, April 23, 2012 at his residence. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Memorial Park Chapel of Memories with Chaplain Ken Haney of Interim Hospice under the direction of Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at their home Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

Kenny was born September 22, 1922 in Wellington, Kansas to FarraWaldo and Lena Hall Ellis. He worked for the Sante Fe Railroad Company as a telegraph operator and retired in 1982, after 43 years. Having experience with the telegraph, he served his country in WWII with the US Army Air Corps, stationed in Hawaii. Later, he worked at Amarillo National Bank as the Employee Coffee Shop Attendant for 24 years, where he met many new friends and faces. Kenny was a loving father who was gracious, and just a true gentlemen’s gentleman. Loving to see people smile, he had a love for baseball. An avid supporter of the original Gold Sox, then the Dillas, and now the Amarillo Sox, he became affectionately known as “the YMCA Man”. Along with baseball, he was on the Sante Fe Bowling League as well, and his ball had only two holes, instead of the usual three. He will be greatly missed by all. The family also wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff of Interim Hospice for their love and support shown during his illness.

He is survived by his wife: Irene “Momma” Ellis of the home

Son: Mike Ellis of Amarillo

Daughters: Pam Matheson and husband Carson of Amarillo

Debbie Watts and husband Sam of Amarillo

Son-in-law: Bob Siling of Tennessee

Sister: Virginia Rogers of Wellington, Kansas

8 Grandchildren

14 Great Grandchildren

Several Nieces, Nephews, other family and friends.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Kimberly Diane Ellis Siling.

Memorials can be made to: Interim Hospice Foundation 1901 Medi-Park Drive Suite 1055 Amarillo, Texas 79106