Memorial
James Michael “Mick” Ellis, 65 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 25, 2024. A memorial service, with military honors, will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the chapel. A gathering will be held following the memorial service at the Cedar Memorial Family Center.
A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for James’s “Mick” Ellis, under the video tab starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Mick was born September 22nd, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio the son of James and Janet (McAlister) Ellis. He was one of seven children. Mick graduated from Pickerington High School. Mick’s love of country led him to serve in the United States Navy after graduation. He was stationed on USS Mount Vernon. He had a longtime career as an air traffic controller, he was also a certified private pilot, certified scuba diver, and served as a volunteer fire fighter. Mick’s work carried him across the country from Ohio to California.
Mick married Renee Sholl and had three children, James, Crystal, and Mark. During this marriage he gained two other sons, Rob and Randy Welch. Even after Mick and Renee divorced, they remained a big part of his life. Mick moved to Coggon, Iowa where he met Marge Martin. They married and were together about 20 years. They loved traveling, taking Harley trips, being on the farm, mowing the lawn, family bonfires in the back pasture, listening to Bob Seger, and raising their “brady bunch”, which included Justin, Chelsey, and Joel. They later divorced but remained friends. Eventually, his work took him to the Dakota’s where he met and married Lynne O'Brien. They enjoyed a simple life enjoying each other's company.
Mick was a spirited soul who took on many passions. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, his Harley Davidson, being on the water, grilling out, and most importantly his family. Mick was proud to have served in the United States Navy, he was a patriot. He was a storyteller who could talk a rattlesnake out of biting him and was a self-proclaimed comedian. Mick was always sure to let his children know how much he loved them and how proud of them he was. He lived his life to the fullest and marched to the beat of his own drum. Though he has gone to live out the rest of his energy with the stars, he will always be deeply loved and remembered by those who knew him.
Mick is survived by his three children, James (Tami) Ellis; Crystal Ellis; Mark Ellis (Rumer Weiland); five grandchildren, Melani, Cashton, Ryker, Oakley, Slay; his Grand pups, Joey and Opal; three brothers, John, Dan, and Tom Ellis; two sisters, Pat Ellis and Shirley Raynard; his beloved canine companion Ellie Mae, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jerry Ellis and a spouse, Lynne O'Brien Ellis.
His departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply. The culmination of love is grief and yet we love despite the inevitable. We open our hearts to it. To grieve deeply is to have loved fully.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family.