James Wesley Ellis

James Wesley Ellis, 74, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, November 24, 2019 in Tecumseh.

He was born December 4, 1944 to William “Junior” Ellis and Marie (Kelley) Sprouce.

James grew up in Crockett, Texas and graduated from Sam Houston State University.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged.

James married MaDonna CeJean Qualls on May 3, 1997 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

He worked most of his life in the oilfield industry, working for ERC in Houston, Wood Group Pressure Control in Shawnee and Superior Wellhead in Norman.

James loved studying genealogy, traveling, Nascar, racing cars and watching college football, any team, didn’t matter he would watch.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Junior Ellis; mother, Marie Sprouse; step-father, Gene Sprouse; and brother, Gene C. Sprouse, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, MaDonna Ellis of the home; 2 sons and 1 daughter-in-law, Brian and Sherry Ellis of Utah and John Qualls of Fayetteville, AR; 3 daughters and 3 sons-in-law, Dana and Nate Hales of San Antonio, TX, Jamie and Robert Marsh of Burbank, CA and Jennifer and Chad Chamberlain of The Woodlands, TX; 16 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 3 brothers-in-law, Tanya and Brian Beamon of Houston, TX, Paula and Kerry Wyatt of Cleveland, TX and Janet and George Hargett of South Carolina; 1 brother and 1 sister-in-law, Robert “Bobby” and Vickie Sprouse of Cleveland, TX; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 29, 2019 and continue through service time.  Family gathering to greet friends and family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Terry Newell and Skip Schmelzer, Shawnee Church of Christ officiating.  Burial will follow at Avoca Cemetery in Asher under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.