Reverend James D. Ellis, 84-year-old retired United Methodist Church minister, died Thursday, April 6, 2017. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in the Sharon United Methodist Church with Reverend Debbie Kerr officiating. Interment followed in the North Persimmon Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James David Ellis was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on March 13, 1933; he was the son of Earl Jeter and Frances Marie (Kerr) Ellis. He attended elementary schools in Amarillo, Texas, and Oklahoma City and graduated from Central High Sch...