Gary Ellis, 74, of Fairfield

74-year-old Fairfield resident Gary Ellis passed away at 4:55 a.m. on Friday Jan. 29 at Deaconess Midtown in Evansville Ind. He was a retired school teacher. He taught and coached at Bone Gap Grade School from 1968 until the school was closed. He finished his teaching/coaching career at Edwards County K-12. He was known for wearing red socks on game day. 

Gary was born on Feb. 2, 1946 in Fairfield to Lowell and Virginia (Cannon) Ellis. He married Wanda (Mann) Ellis on Dec. 29, 1967.

Gary was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church in West Salem. Until his move to Fairfield, he was an active member of the United Methodist Men. Gary was instrumental in starting the grade school Buzzard Bait Campout. Even after his retirement he really enjoyed participating in the Buzzard Bait activities. 

Gary is survived by his wife Wanda; children- Brett (Lori) Ellis and Michelle (David Kent) Fields; his mother Virginia Ellis all of Fairfield; sisters- Ruth (Delbert) Burkett of Ellery, Kay (Ray) Huff of Creal Springs, and Brenda Watson of Fairfield; grandchildren- Tyler Fields of Fairfield and Faith (Christian) Cullison of Ellery; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. 

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 3, 2021 at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. For his final departure Mr. Ellis will be wearing his red socks. 

Memorials may be made to the West Salem Grade School Buzzard Bait Fund and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of all the arrangements.