Born in Rutledge, TN, Don attended Whitesburg High School in Russellville and went on to serve in the US Navy. He later graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Don had a passion for sailing and was a member of the United States Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club and the New Orleans Yacht Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a regular attendee of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and a board member of the St. Charles Museum and Historical Association. Remembered by his friends as a storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor, Don was a great husband of 42 years and father who loved his family deeply.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Fred Franklin Ellis and Erma Lee (Dalton) Ellis. Don is survived by his wife Darlene (Mollere) Ellis and daughter Donell Ellis (Jesse Gerard). He is also survived by his brother Paul Keith Ellis (Rosemary), brother-in-law Wayne Mollere (Lindi), brother-in-law Kerry Mollere (Patricia), nieces and nephews Kristen Ellis, COL. John Ellis, Malinda Mollere, Amanda Mollere, Chelsea Mollere, Darcie Startz, James Mollere, Allison Trejo, and Mitchell Wagoner and many great-nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Ochsner hospital staff for their support during this illness.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hahnville, LA at 11:00am. A visitation will be held from 9:00am until Mass. Interment will follow at the church cemetery in Taft, LA.
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