Arthur Gary Ellis, 70, passed away in Cox Hospital, Springfield, Missouri, on October 30, 2023.  He was born November 23, 1952, in Springfield to Carroll and Betty (Curtis) Ellis.  Gary and Deborah (Hyde) Ellis were married October 27, 1978, and celebrated 45 anniversaries together.  They have two children, Emily Jeanette (Ellis) Buhr, John Tyler Ellis, and one son-in-law, Kevin William Buhr.  Gary was a loving "Ducky" to his granddaughters, Sonya Elizabeth Buhr and Claudia Jane Buhr.

He retired from Missouri State University after over 25 years as an administrator working in the Continuing Education Department and Distance Learning Program.  During that time, he collaborated with instructors and professors to produce online courses. He travelled to Egypt, Italy, and Amsterdam to provide video recording of work on location to enhance courses. Throughout his lifetime, Gary was a generous friend, an eclectic reader, an avid music listener, a fan of many sports, and a prodigious pancake artist. He enjoyed sailing his catamaran on Stockton Lake and he shared camping and many float trips with his children and friends. Gary loved his family more than anything else.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.