Roll Call Tribute

Gilbert William Ellis 
May 27, 1940 - April 15, 2023

Gilbert William Ellis, age 82, peacefully passed away and entered his savior’s waiting arms on Saturday, April 15 in Edinburg, Texas. His unshakable optimism and love for the Lord never wavered and served as an example to his family and caregivers during his long struggle with a challenging and debilitating illness.

Gilbert was born May 27, 1940, in Iowa City, Iowa, to William T. and Ruth Ellis. The family relocated to the Rio Grande Valley in 1947 where Gilbert remained and lived as a successful businessman and dedicated community servant until his death.

After graduating from Mission High School in 1958, Gilbert attended Texas A&M University, serving in Company D2 of the Corps of Cadets and graduating in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Agriculture. He was an enthusiastic Former Student and supporter of the University and a lifelong ardent football fan.

Upon graduation, Gilbert entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, attended missile defense school, and served as a duty officer of a Nike Hercules nuclear air defense missile system in Baumholder, Germany. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was discharged in 1972 after reaching the rank of Captain.

Gilbert’s career in business spanned more than 57 years in fields as diverse as real estate, agriculture, pipeline construction, motorsports entertainment, and a travel agency. He was crowned King Citrus of the 1975 Texas Citrus Fiesta and served on more than 20 different philanthropic or industry boards as a director or member, rising to the chairmanship of several. He was President of Texas Citrus Mutual and The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. He was a Greater McAllen Association of Realtors member for more than 30 years and served for nearly 10 years on the Sharyland Independent School District Board, including a term as President. He was always willing and anxious to serve his community and do what he could to strive for improvements and progress.

His interests included hunting, fishing, a good steak, his legendary chorizo and egg breakfasts, and most of all – baking and sharing his delicious chocolate chip cookies with anyone and everyone. He would bake 6 batches at a time. He loved making people happy with his wonderful cookies.

But perhaps his most treasured time was spent in service to the Lord. He was an engaged and enthusiastic member of his church, teaching Sunday School and serving in various leadership roles. He faithfully performed visitations and regularly handed out Gideon bibles in schools and prisons, even when confined to a scooter, and he continued to do so until his health simply wouldn’t allow it. This was, to him, the culmination of his life’s work. His purpose. To serve the Lord. He constantly strived to tell others about Jesus, and always encouraged others to do what they could to serve and honor God. In his care facility, on his last day on God’s earth, he still had a stack of scannable Gideon Bible handouts near his bed, ready to give to his caretakers and those who might visit him.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, William T. and Ruth, his sister Lynn, his brother Rodger, and his granddaughter, Jillian.

He is survived by Cynthia Ellis, his wife of 39 years, his son William, wife Denise, and their children Kathryn and Allison, his daughter Melissa, his son Gilbert, wife Lisa, his stepson Eric Goette, wife Jalah and their son, Luke, stepdaughter Heather Bourek and her children Henry and Jolie, his sister Jean McGee and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved him very much.

The family would like to offer a special recognition and thank you to the staff of The Gardens at Brook Ridge Assisted Living, Abri at Edinburg Skilled Nursing, and the faithful members of The Gideons International for their loving care over the past few years.

A memorial gift can be made to The Gideons International at https://www.sendtheword.org/, or the Texas A&M Foundation, School of Agriculture, in Gilbert’s name. Instructions can be found at https://www.txamfoundation.com/ways-to-give/honorary-and-memorial-gifts.aspx.