James Lee Ellison

James Lee “Jay” Ellison, 87, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died Friday, August 15, 2025, at Springdale Northwest Memorial Hospital with his wife, Ginny of 67 years, beside him. Jay was born November 14, 1937, on a farm in Red Oak, Iowa, to Jessie Lee Ellison and Ona Eylene Ellison.

Jay graduated from University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, and promptly enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the United States Air Force on a Strategic Air Command Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Jay embarked on his civilian career as a systems engineer with IBM, Fluor and Northrop, and five years at Disneyland in hospitality prior to retiring in 2000. He was most proud at his job at Northrop working on the B-2 Bomber project. Jay’s career moved him and his family from Wyoming to Colorado and California, before retiring to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2000. He was an avid reader, especially of Bible History, and devoted to a Sunday school class, The Gospel Truth, that he led for years.

Jay was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Lee Ellison, of Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginny) Lee Ellison of Bella Vista, son, James (Sheri) Lee Ellison JR. of Pleasanton California, daughter, Christy Lee of Bentonville, daughter-in-law, Renee Ellison of Bella Vista, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Service will be September 9, 2025, at 6:00 pm at St. Theodores Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsdale Road, Bella Vista, AR. The Ellison family invites all who love and miss Jay to join them for a reception at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or to St. Theodores Episcopal Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas.