David Ellisor Obituary

"Some men come into our lives and make a lasting impression on our hearts. They show us how to live life to the fullest, how to love others well, and how to make a difference in the world around them. He was one of these men...and his loss is deeply felt by so many."

David Francis Ellisor passed away in the early hours of January 1. He lived with cancer without physical pain for three years. He and his wife Patti moved to San Diego in November 2021 to be closer to the family after having enjoyed Durango since 2005. David is well remembered for his flashing, contagious smile, his joyful, soulful loving expressions to those with whom he came in contact. He loved Durango and living in Juniper Heights with all the dear neighbors, his beloved Shug, and with his beloved wife Patti.

David was born in Luverne, Alabama on August 31, 1939, to Evelyn Hart Ellisor and Thomas Ellisor. He is survived by his wife, Patti Ellisor, sister Rebecca Ellisor Nash (John Nash) of Florida, his daughter Deena Solin (Steven Solin) of San Diego, his sons, Robert Brandon Ellisor of Georgia, and Devon Ellisor (Sarah Wood Ellisor) of Austin, his granddaughters, Sage and Brooke Flynn, his grandsons, Mikey Flynn and Miles Ellisor and his great-granddaughter, Ember Wave Flynn Orloff, his nieces, Kelly Robinson, Susan Polk and nephew, Scott Nash. His dear brother, Charles Marshall Ellisor (Candace Ellisor) preceded David in death a few months ago.

David was part of the Dothan, Alabama class of '58. These classmates knew David throughout his childhood and their heartfelt descriptions of him, show that his loving, giving, engaging ways were with him from early on. He was a student leader, an outstanding athlete in football and baseball, and quite the charmer. He attended Southern Methodist University where he received a football scholarship. He then earned a Masters in Pastoral Counseling at Emory University in Atlanta. He became an ordained Methodist Minister and worked within the church for a number of years primarily focusing on youth groups and human potential groups. He then followed his passion for youth work as a Chaplain for the San Diego County Probation Department. He was licensed as a Marriage and Family Counselor and provided mental health services to adolescents and children, opening and administering a number of residential treatment centers throughout his career.

In Colorado, David worked for the Southern Ute Community Action Program implementing grants to provide mental health services and suicide prevention programs. David served on the board of the Animas Valley Institute and acted as the interim administrator for that program and on the board of the United Way of the Navajo Nation. David was an active member of the Senior Generation Group at the Durango Dharma Center, serving as a participant and a facilitator. David was an avid Pickleball player, enjoying the pickle ballers and the game itself!!

Some of the highlights of his life included two trips to Nepal, working within an orphanage there;

numerous trips to Europe with his fondest memories in Italy; playing pickleball in Southern California and in Durango; skiing for years in Park City and in Durango. He proudly appeared in the Durango Herald twice...once pictured in full ski gear (in the middle of May) to protest the change in the Durango Mountain rates for Seniors and once pictured making a great pickleball shot at the Durango Recreation Center.

The greatest joy of David's life was his being Pop Pop to Brandon, Deena, and Devon and then to Sage, Brooke, and Mikey and then to Miles and Ember Wave. His "Pop Pop Magic" included Belly Jelly Rolls, Head Bumpers, Stealing Your Shugah, Come Back Here Little Ant, Whistle If You Want Me to Stop Tickling (impossible), Pop Kisses, Mooing, and finding Where the Horse Bit You!

Plans for a celebration of life are still in the making. Donations can be made to Elizabeth Hospice in San Diego (https://elizabethhospice.org/makeadifference/ or to the Caring Bridge (https://www.caringbridge.org).