JR Ellison

JR Ellison, of Pauls Valley, passed away December 27, 2023, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, at the age of 61 years.

JR was born May 21, 1962, in Okarche, Oklahoma, to Ervin Earnest Ellison and Dorothy Dean Helderman Ellison.

JR and Deanna Ronette McLane were married in Hinton, Oklahoma, on July 10, 1981.

He was a devoted teacher to many students, a school bus driver, and children’s director at the Elmore City First Baptist Church.

JR was known for his very particular lawn care and could spot a well maintained yard from miles away and was quick to call it out.

He spent his life dedicated to loving every kid that crossed his path. Years of his life were spent serving the Lord at vacation bible schools, summers at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers, and also as a youth minister at Paoli First Baptist Church. He was well-known for helping others, expecting zero in return.

Ronette was the love of his life, and he was proud to share that with everyone he met. He thrived on making her laugh. She stayed by his side for every moment, and there is no one else he would have rather had with him.

His daughters believed he hung the moon, and he was everything to both of them. He was their first phone call, biggest fan, and never missed an important moment of their lives.

His sons-in-law, Zech and Austin, were his sons from the moment they came into his daughters' lives. He enjoyed giving them advice and guidance when they called him, he never missed an opportunity to offer them support, and he loved them as his own.

A page could not hold enough words to say how he felt about his grandkids. Wyatt and Ryder knew they had a fishing buddy, loud cheering fan, and someone to join in on their shenanigans. They knew he would be in the front row, yelling “Just make me proud. You got this!” Brinlyn, Lillian, and Demi were Papa’s girls. Nothing would make him melt like those girls crawling up in Papa’s chair for laughs and snuggles. Papa JR loved watching the grandkids load up with snacks and sweets before sending them home with their parents.

He ended every conversation with his family by saying, “Love ya more freeze.”

JR was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin Earnest and Dorothy Dean (Helderman) Ellison.

Surviving family include his wife of over 42 years, Ronette Ellison; two daughters, Erica Shippey and husband Zech Shippey, and Rachel Ellison and husband Austin Balm; five grandchildren, Wyatt Balm, Ryder Shippey, Brinlyn Balm, Lillian Shippey, and Demi Balm, who were the light of his life; two sisters, Rinda Hale and Matta Wright; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.

In lieu of flowers JR’s request was for backpacks with school supplies. He wanted to use this opportunity to provide for kids in need. Donations can be made to the family as well to fulfill his wishes.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Elmore City officiated by Pastor Danny Reed. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home. We invite you to send a message of care and concern as well as kind words and memories at www.stufflebeanfuneralhome.com.