Dr. Ellington was one of two professors in the education department who made a truly lasting impression as I prepared to become an educator myself. He actually taught his class with the same dedication in which he addressed all his endeavors. I’m sorry to see his passing for his family as well as for all the future educators who will not benefit from his professionalism as well as his dry humor. 
Melissa Keith M.Ed
Class of 2000

I’m sorry to have just learned of Lucien’s passing. During my teaching career, Lucien was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to learn and to apply knowledge in my social studies classes. His gentle prodding led me to contribute to Education About Asia magazine and to take a wonderful trip on the Silk Road to enhance my knowledge of Chinese history and society. Like his many friends and colleagues, I feel the loss of a special teacher and a great soul.

I was blessed to be able to take Social and Historical Foundations over this past Spring with Professor Ellington. About a month into the course I was not doing as well as I wanted to be doing in his class. After weighing my options, I decided to reach out to him about this. (I am not usually a student who does this type of thing.) But I am so glad that I did, because after that we understood each other a lot better. He has prepared me for going into my first year as a teacher, because there is not a day that goes by where I do not think about the book "Why Knowledge Matters". His course was so practical, and I am inspired by Professor Ellington's obvious desire to honor the Lord in serving the education community and requiring his students to read books and articles that reveal the truth about what is happening in U.S. education and throughout the world. Professor Ellington was doing Kingdom work. We connected over our enjoyment of Dr. Jordan Peterson's work. He sent me a book and a card written on May 11 in the mail. That meant a lot to me, and I will be reading the book to my second grade class this year. I truly wish I could have known Professor Ellington for a longer period of time, but I am grateful for the blessing of being in his class last Spring. I am praying for your family and grieving with you all. May the Spirit of Comfort be with you and may Jesus walk beside you through the sorrows and joys and all else that is to come. -Hannah Thome

I just learned of Lucien's passing. I had the pleasure of working with him on articles for Education About Asia for over a decade. He was always a thoughtful and encouraging editor. He was also very kind to me during my mother's prolonged illness and passing, I valued his mentorship and support. I send you all my very deepest condolences.

I am shocked to hear of the passing of Professor Lucien Ellington. We never met, but as a regular contributor to the EAA Journal, we worked together on several articles. He was always receptive of new ideas and topics, and very encouraging of these works. 

The EAA Journal is a valuable source material, all due to the remarkable initiative of Professor Ellington and his very able team, with whom too, I have had frequent correspondences. I owe a great deal of thanks to them all. I wish this enterprise of the EAA Journal even greater success going forward, rising on the very strong foundations bequeathed by its founding editor Professor Lucien Ellington and his team. His passing is a great loss to the scholarly community.

My deepest condolences to the family and all at EAA.

What a loss! I knew few people who made as much of a difference in Asian studies as Lucien did. His leadership of Education about Asia broke wholly new ground for AAS. And when he took over the Key Issues in Asian Series, he turned a difficult, struggling project into a huge success. I can't count the times I wrote him to say his energy left me breathless. Beyond all that, he made his writers feel good about themselves, and he made the study of Asia accessible to all of us who teach. How I will miss him!

I remember Lucien fondly from the time we both served as faculty members in UTC’s College of Education.  My condolences to his family.    Sandy Snyder

I treasured knowing Lucien over the years.  His enthusiasm for providing a link between the  realms of academic research on Asia and the wider world of education--both secondary and post-secondary was infectious.  I "met" him first when I was co-editing H-Asia--the N-Net discussion list on Asian Studies.  Over the years we exchanged ideas and I was pleased when he invited me to write for Education About Asia.  The significance of his contributions cannot be understated.  His energetic promotion of making Asia part of our national curriculum and thus to make a broader citizenry more engaged with the wider world were priceless contributions.

I was saddened to hear of Lucien's passing. He was a gentle and compassionate giant who made a huge impact in the teaching and content of Asian studies. I was fortunate to work with him in the early days. Beyond EAA he also worked with so many groups to promote better education. He was able to connect with others of who had different perspectives, with both his intelligence and sincerity of character. He will be missed greatly, but at least we have his many contributions to treasure. I know you must be utterly grief-stricken, and that the above is perhaps small consolation for your loss. You have my deepest condolences. 
Sincerely,
Marilyn Levine

My best wishes to Lucien's family. I had the pleasure of working with him on his great love, the excellent magazine, Education About Asia. He poured his energies into this periodical of the Association for Asian Studies, transforming it into a must read publication for scholars, students and the wider public interested in all matters relating to Asia. Every issue carried informative pieces that were especially helpful for teachers across the K-16 spectrum. And every installment showed the care and enthusiastic with which he tended to this excellent publication.  Professor Ellington: thank you for educating us all about Asia and promoting its study worldwide.

We have lost a leader, with an unmatched energy, commitment, curiosity, and breadth of knowledge. Lucien’s contribution to improving American education and particularly knowledge of Asia is immense.  He touched and inspired so many through his teaching, mentoring, writing and editing. The stunning publication, Education about Asia, and all the marvelous articles accessible to all online was, in truth, entirely Lucien’s vision and achievement. Others contributed and worked tirelessly alone with him, but without Lucien, it would not exist. He has been a colleague in so many ventures for as long as I can remember – from the earliest 1980s on.  My fondest memory of Lucien, however, will always be that of him, after meetings in various cities in those early days, challenging any of us still game to follow him to find a “blues” group playing in whatever city we were meeting in. Born and raised in Mississippi, Lucien always maintained that he could find a blues group in any city in the country, no matter how small -- and I believe he did! One can only hope he has found one where he is.

Lucien edited several of my pieces for Education About Asia. He was a pleasure to work with. I'm very sorry to hear of his loss. Deepest condolences to his family. Pete Braden

I knew Lucien professionally through the Association of Private Enterprise Education. He was always cheerfully engaged in the discussions and topics of the day. I remember him fondly.

To the family of Professor Ellington,

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Ellington on a number of manuscripts that I submitted to Education About Asia. He was an amazing editor who worked hard to ensure my articles were perfect before publication. I was sorry to see him retire, but I had hoped he would have many years of enjoyment ahead of him. I am very sorry to hear about his passing. He was a truly great man.

Sincerely yours,

Edward O'Mahony

Lucien was one of the kindest individuals whom I have ever worked with in my forty years of teaching. I did not know him well; he and I met about twenty years ago through my work on Asian history, and during that time Lucien and I mostly interacted over email. Yet when our paths crossed at AAS conferences every few years, it was an absolute joy to spend time with Lucien discussing the amazing journal that he led, Education About Asia. His effusive generosity and empathetic nature won me over from the start, and his unmatched enthusiasm for teaching and learning inspired me to do the same. When I underwent my gender transition, I deeply appreciated Lucien's unwavering support and that he recognized my humanity as well as my expertise.  I already miss him, terribly.

Some twenty years ago when I published my first book  I met Lucien at a conference and he thanked me for my contrabution to understanding education in Asia.  His comments and enthusiasm, and encouragement meant a lot at the time.    They never stopped, and he kept up with my scholarship, always supportive and encouraging.  We met probably a dozen times at conferences and always went to for dinner and a drink.  He was such a warm, nice, interesting and fun to be with colleague  that the time I spent with him was often the highlight of the conference.  He will be truly missed but always remembered.

I had no idea this would hit me as hard as it did. As a 7th grade SS teacher several years ago, our TN State Standards shifted from a focus on World Geography to essentially highlighting the Middle Ages. These new standards covered China, Japan, and mentioned Korea. I knew very little about the new content I was to teach and immediately sought out PD opportunities. I was unfamiliar with NCTA but found a professor by the name of Dr. Ellington was offering a teacher workshop on East Asia.

Who knew that first workshop with Dr. Ellington years ago would open the doors to East Asia and so many other career opportunities for me? I traveled with NCTA to China and Vietnam with teachers across the US; I served as a UTC Asia Program Faculty Fellow; I submitted work I created under Dr. Ellington's guidance to a number of programs and was selected for various positions.

I simply cannot quantify the opportunities and knowledge I have gained because of this man who cared so deeply about an area of the world that arguably receives little light in courses today.

I'm so very thankful I was able to share a meal at my favorite Korean restaurant, Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse, with Dr. Ellington and his wife, Charlotte, last fall. I thanked him for all he had done for me in my career—the many hours he corresponded with me when I had questions, the grace he offered me when I was hospitalized but had a major project due for him, the letters of recommendation he wrote for me, etc.

Despite this, what I wish I had done when I caught wind a month or so ago he was experiencing some medical issues was reach out to him and Mrs. Charlotte. I didn't tell him goodbye and express my gratitude one more time.

As much as I like to believe life is what we make, life is also the people around us pushing us, mentoring us, opening doors for us we never knew existed. Tell them how much they mean/have meant to you before it's too late...and be this for someone else.

Rest in peace, Lucien. I'll keep fighting the battle against ignorance.

It was heartbreaking news that Lucien had died. I can picture him so vividly in his chair facing us at EAA Board meetings and so thoughtfully and kindly leading discussion of what would be the most engaging themes in Asian Studies to share with teachers across the US.  Lucien was so important to me because he valued the intellectual  work of community college faculty.  He and Willa brought articles on Chinese and Japanese literature to beautiful life. He would recall we first met by accident in Hiroshima in 2003; we worked together on the EAA issue ‘Remembering  Hiroshima and Nagasaki.’  It was a pleasure to see him at EAA/AAS meetings for more than 20 years. My sympathies flow to Charlotte and all his family and friends.

About 20 years ago, I began attending Lucien's NCTA seminars at UTC.  He quickly became a mentor and a friend. He encouraged me in both my teaching and my writing and opened up the world of East Asian studies to me. I would not be the teacher I am today without his guidance. I also know that I am far from the only teacher who he has helped and inspired over the years. He should be remembered as a tireless advocate and champion for teachers in our area. My deepest condolences to Charlotte, Bobby, Eleanor, and the rest of his family.

I met Lucien for the first time in Hawaii on an East-West Center program back in the mid 1990s. I recall several conversations we had, comparing China and Japan and Korea. He taught me about economics and I challenged what I considered a tendency toward cultural essentialism (probably recommending he read Norma Field's _In the Realm of a Dying Emperor_, still one of the most insightful books about Japan, in my opinion). And he mentioned that he was talking with the AAS about launching a pedagogy journal in the area of Asian Studies. I think the most rewarding part of my career has been spending time working on EAA at Lucien's request: reviewing manuscripts, recruiting authors, writing my own essays for it. He built up such a great community of authors and readers in this important field of work. Let's carry on that effort in his honor!

The most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Lucien’s family and colleagues. He was truly one of kind - an individual that mattered to all who knew him.

I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Ellington. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I edited Education About Asia for Dr. Ellington for several years and am so sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers and positive thoughts to his loved ones.

My sincere condolences to Lucien's family. I was honored to work with him as the Art Director of Education About Asia from 1995 to the summer of 2023. We only met in person twice when I traveled from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to visit him and his Managing Editor at their UTC office..Education About Asia was his dream come true and he gave his all to each issue. When I last spoke to him, he said he was retiring to pursue his dream of teaching young children to read, I hope that legacy will live on. He was truly a gentleman and scholar.

Lucien has left us way too soon.  I celebrate all the creative, energetic ways that he contributed to the world, especially through his work for the Association for Asian Studies (AAS).  Lucien's beautifully edited Key Issues in Asian Studies volumes and his immensely helpful academic magazine Education about Asia (EAA) welcomed numerous students into the study of Asia.
I've always admired Lucien's enthusiastic presentations at conferences and workshops. He promoted EAA with such gusto.  Always friendly and happy to meet new people, Lucien easily struck up conversations with veterans of AAS and new members alike. What a positive difference he made to us all.  Thank you, Lucien!

Lucien was one of a kind. It was a joy and an honor to work with Lucien on Education About Asia and the Association for Asian Studies Key Issues in Asian Studies book series. Given his mountain of accomplishments and stature in the field of Asian Studies education and outreach, Lucien always remained humble, modest, and self-deprecating, with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He always seemed to find twenty-five hours in a day to work so tirelessly on his passions. And he cared, deeply. I hope our future work with Education About Asia will make you proud, Lucien. I will miss my good friend and I will never forget you. Charlotte and family, you are in my thoughts and I wish you peace and solace in the coming days.

Lucien was absolutely crucial in changing the national Association forAsian Studies (AAS) from a rather exclusive research association to a broader group of teachers and scholars who were also dedicated to supporting teachers who taught about Asia at all levels. I delighted in working with such a dedicated, energetic, smart and kind man who was also blessed with a terrific sense of humor.   I will always honor my friend.

Peter Frost

I worked with Lucien for longer than I can remember on educational outreach related to East Asia, especially the book series Key Issues in Asian Studies, which he edited.  Lucien was always a joy: kind, funny, committed to the work, and a talented and tactful editor.  I will miss him and his passion for empowering others to teach the next generation about Asia.  He leaves a lasting legacy in the field and for all of us who he touched over the decades.  With deep sympathy, Bill Tsutsui

At the Association for Asian Studies, we are very saddened to hear that our dear friend, Lucien Ellington, has passed. Lucien devoted decades to spearheading our education journal, Education About Asia. His work has impacted countless lives, and his fierce advocacy for education within the field of Asian Studies has made a  huge impact. We remember Lucien and honor his legacy by continuing his work  in and for global Asian Studies. Rest in peace, dear gentleman, scholar, and friend.

I had a privilege to work with Dr. Ellington from 2013-2017 as Japan outreach coordinator at UTC. He was always passionate about teaching and creating effective educational programs for teachers and students. I learned a lot from his work ethic and commitment to education. He was also a very kind advisor and always gave me support I needed. I cannot imagine my career in US without his help and guidance. I really miss him and I hope his legacy continues at UTC. My deepest condolences for his family. 

Sincerely,
Asami Nakano

What sad news.  I have worked with Lucien on "Education About Asia" since its inception.  He was an inspiration, and his professional legacy will live on.  Sending heart-felt condolences.  Marleen Kassel Kerson.

Lucien came to my office in the UTC history department in 1985 and suggested we begin a "Japan Project" to help teachers learn about Japan. Together we raised money to fund many groups of teachers we took to Japan in following years. Later we expanded the "Asia Project" to include Fulbright Trips to other parts of Asia. But in addition to these regional projects, Lucien was the founding  Editor of Education About Asia, promoting teaching tools and materials throughout this country.  Always an amazing dynamo, he was also asked by the  Association for Asian Studies to edit another series of books meant for students in college.  There is no one who has played such an important role in promotion of good teaching materials in this country for over four decades. Lucien is more well known throughout the Asian Studies world than he is in Chattanooga. I am still amazed at the energy and drive he had. I don't know of anyone in Asian Studies who can match his contributions. We traveled a lot together, produced videos for the classroom, and wrote teaching guides together. And he taught me about the blues. 
My condolences to Charlotte and family for their loss. All Asian Studies teachers in this country will share that loss.  Sayonara, Lucien

OBITUARY

John Lucien Ellington

December 8, 1950 – May 21, 2024

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

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