James Arthur Ellithorpe

Jim was born in Port Clinton, OH to the late Glenn & Sylvia (Sorensen) Ellithorpe Nov 08, 1948. Jim attended Port Clinton city schools and graduated in 1966. In 1967 he enlisted in the US Air Force, and after reaching the rank of Master Sergeant, retired honorably in 1992. Jim served our country proudly during the Viet Nam war, and the Cold War. Throughout his career he was stationed in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, West Germany several times, South Korea, and several state side bases. He particularly enjoyed Denver, Colorado, and remained a devoted Broncos fan the rest of his life. But, on fall Saturdays, it was Scarlet & Gray all day! Jim is a past commander of the Port Clinton VFW Homer D Gardner Post 2480.

In the summers of 1966 & 1967, he was a member of the Maumee Demons Drum & Bugle Corps, and later during summer furloughs in the states would travel the country to watch drum & bugle corps shows. He was partial to the Madison Scouts of Wisconsin, and once made a red eye round trip road trip to Madison with other Port Clinton friends & fans. Upon retiring from the USAF, he lived in Port Clinton until moving to Rotonda West, FL in 2008.

Jim is survived by his 35-year partner Lynne Hugert, and her daughter Holly Braun. He is also survived by his son Sean Ellithorpe of AZ, his eldest sister, Judy Bodenmiller of Urbana, OH and her children, and his sister, Jan Meyer-Huston’s daughters.

Aside from his parents Jim was preceded in death by his sister Jan Meyer-Huston & brother-in-law Douglas Meyer, his nephew Michael Fillmore, and great-niece Melissa Heidinger.

Funeral services will be held at Dayton National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 2:00PM with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations to assist the family with funeral expenses are greatly appreciated.