Graveside Service
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery-
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1520 Harry Wurzbach
San Antonio, Texas 78209 -
Shelter #1
1929
Lenard
2020
Lenard Ellison
December 3, 1929 — November 14, 2020
Lenard Ellison passed from this life November 14, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. In his 90 years, he lived a very long and Christ filled life. Born December 3, 1929, to Lenard and Vassie Ivy Ellison, in Atlanta, Georgia, he lived through the Great Depression and the rebuilding process that followed. He saw the beginning of World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor. He witnessed the evolution of the jet engine, the introduction of rocket engines and nuclear technology used for electricity as well as military purposes. He lived through racial turmoil, experiencing the Civil Rights Movement first hand. When he enlisted in the Army in 1947, he only had two career fields open to him, cook and driver. This lack of options led him to leave the Army for the Air Force when it became a separate branch. He went from being a driver in the Army to being in power production for the Mark-17 nuclear warhead in the Air Force.
He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars being awarded a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in combat. He retired after nearly 25 years of service, which sparked the interest of 4 of his children to join the Air Force as well.
He saw the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, the introduction of the microwave, the evolution of the computer and many other things taken for granted in today’s world.
More than anything, those who know him would consider him a man of faith. He was always in prayer, or singing Gospel Hymns. He led his family in faith and saw two sons become ministers. He attributed his strong faith to his wife, Ollie Faye, who preceded him in death. He always said her faith is what held the family together during his deployments, TDYs, and other travels.
Lenard’s Air Force stateside assignments took him to Alaska, Maine, New York, Missouri, Texas, California, Wyoming, and Arizona. Wherever they traveled, Lenard, Ollie and the family worshipped at the local Church of Christ. They made Tonto Church of Christ in Arizona their home. They were devout Christians who regularly attended lectureships and served their churches, leading their children by example. Blessed with a beautiful baritone voice, on most Sunday mornings, he led the congregation in song for more than 40 years. He was also a founding member of Tonto Church of Christ Voices of Faith, who edified, encouraged, and comforted thousands through their ministry of music.
After his military service, Lenard began working in the security field, initially with Phoenix Union High School and eventually moving to the Arizona Security Services Department as the Chief of Security for South Mountain High School. He was affectionately referred to as “Chief” by the students, as he mentored numerous young men and women, helping them reach their fullest potential.
In passing, Lenard is finally reunited with his love after more than 37 years without her. He was also preceded by his daughter Cora Yvonne and survived by his daughter Vassie Deloris and her husband Jerome Smith, his sons Tony Lenard, Rodney Earl, and his wife Maria Ellison, Kenneth Ray, and his wife Becky Ellison, along with 14 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren. He was a faithful friend, a man of great integrity, kindness, and generosity. He will be missed greatly but always remembered for a life lived in service to Christ—leaving a legacy of love as a husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. Lenard lived a life that mattered!
Lenard will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Friday, November 27, 2020 at 10 am. Flowers can be sent to Randolph Church of Christ 1032 Pat Booker Rd Universal City, Texas 78148.
"Live a Life that Matters"
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built. Not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live on in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It happens by choice.
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