Dr. Michael Ray Ellis

TYLER — Michael Ray Ellis, 75, was born in Naples, Texas to Eugene and Rose Jean Ellis on September 2, 1948.

He went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 23, 2023 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Services for Mike will be held on Friday, January 5, 2023 at Stewart Family Funeral Home. Visitation at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Bailey Harris of First Baptist Church, Gladewater, where Mike was a member. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler.

Mike graduated from El Paso’s Eastwood High School in 1966 where he lettered in football, basketball, and golf. He went to TCU graduating with honors and was accepted to the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. After graduation and getting his dental license, Mike began a 40-year career of general dentistry practice in Gladewater.

Michael was an excellent golfer who played in hundreds of tournaments with his brother Scott. They would spend hours talking about their rounds on the phone. He loved golf and always loved to read “Golf Digest” magazine. Mike also loved to fly. He owned both a Cessna 150 and a 172. He flew all over the US and even flew his 172 to the Bahamas!

Mike loved his stepson, Trey Gould, as his own and he spent many hours coaching Trey in football, baseball, tennis, and golf. Mike was a profound and positive influence on the man Trey has become.

Michael also loved boats, jet skis, dancing, and fast cars, but the greatest love and joy in Mike’s life was his daughter, Michaela. She was truly a daddy’s girl and the apple of his eye. He was so proud of all of her accomplishments. When she came to visit him, he would tell everyone Michaela was coming and talk non-stop about her latest activities.

Michael was a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the East Texas Dental Society. In 2013 he was named “Man of the Year” in Gladewater. Shortly after that, Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He retired from practice and relocated to Tyler to be near family.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Gene Ellis and mother, Rose Ellis. Mike is survived by his daughter, Michaela Ellis; stepson, Trey Gould (Natalie); grandchildren, Maddox and Maverick Gould; and brothers, Steve Ellis (Marilyn), Dr. Scott Ellis (Susan), and Russell Ellis. Also nephew, Spenser Ellis (Jessica); niece, Amanda Ellis; aunt, Molly Eastman (Jim); and cousins, John Eastman (Melissa), Ryan Eastman (Andrea), and Casey Eastman (Helen).

Pallbearers will be David Holcombe, John Paul Tallent, Curtis Crabtree, David Lassen, John Eastman, and Trey Gould.

Michael’s family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice, especially nurses Nelva and Sara, for their devoted and tender care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.