James "Buddy" Ellis

James Mathew Ellis Jr, 72, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side on Monday, June 29th, 2020 at Iowa River Hospice.        Jim or “Buddy” as he was known by most was born July 20th, 1947 in Henrietta, Oklahoma, the son of James Mathew Ellis Sr. and Dorothy Louise Phillips. He spent his early boyhood in Henrietta and later moved to Denver, Colorado after his parents divorced, to live with his father. He made the move to Marshalltown, IA at age 19 where he resided until his passing. Jim knew at an early age in Colorado, that he not only enjoyed the game of basketball, but that he could also play the game extremely well. With his 6 foot 10 inch frame, he flew through the air with grace and could drop 3 pointers into a net without even hearing a swoosh, most of the time easily grabbing the ball with only one hand. This technique was noticed by scouts where he received offers for full ride scholarships to several colleges including Hawaii. After he made the move to Marshalltown, he resided with his sister Nickie and her husband, where in 1966 he was reunited with a woman he had met years prior, when he was 12 and she was 14, his first wife Joyce Moore. They were married July 28th, 1967. Although this marriage was dissolved in 1986, from this union were born 2 beautiful girls, Teri Ellis Ray in 1968 and Penny Ellis Hoffman in 1970. The last 34 years Buddy has spent with his soulmate Betty Phillips. Theirs was a special relationship. Although Jim was known to work 2-3 part time jobs including his full time…he initially began working at Gray Iron Foundry briefly until he was hired at Dunham Bush, where he spent 25+ years until their closing, finishing his career at MECHDYNE until his retirement. Jim was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he proudly served as a Deacon and faithfully spent every Saturday morning, including numerous camp meetings and Pathfinder adventures with his daughters. He loved spending time with his family, enjoyed the simplicity of relaxing outside, being surrounded by nature and enjoyed playing with the Marshalltown City Basketball League at the Coliseum almost weekly, while his health permitted. He is survived in death by his sister Nickie (Marlyn) Duinink, his first daughter, Teri (Buck) Ray and her 4 children Candice (Blake) Callaway, Hannah Ray, Jordan Ray, Marah Ray and 3 great grandchildren from Candice; Emily, an infant son who passed at birth and Aydien. His second daughter Penny (Steve) Hoffman and 4 grandchildren, Amanda, Taylor, a grandchild lost during pregnancy and Logan. He is also survived by his soulmate Betty Phillips, her 4 children: Jim (Debbie) Phillips, Tim (Joyce) Phillips, Dennis Phillips and Cathy Clawson (Joe Worley);  grandchildren: Shelley (Todd) Hedgespeth, Laurie (Al) Halstad, Tanie Phillips, Shana Phillips, T.J. Phillips, Chad (Jill) Clawson, Matt (Emily) Clawson, Adam Clawson (Ralene Needham), Amy Phillips, Taylor (Jacob) Parent and Triston Livingston; great-grandchildren: Taylor Clawson, Emma Clawson, Bailey Clawson, Stormmie Clawson and Luke Parent. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.