Larry Leroy Ellis, son of Harold W. and Naomi Ruth (McKinney) Ellis, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Larry was born on September 21, 1939.
He attended Pleasant Ridge Rural School and Coldwater High School, graduating in 1957. After graduating, he attended Fort Hays State University.
Larry married Eleanor Gregg on May 31, 1959 in the Coldwater United Methodist Church, where they were both members. To this union were born 3 sons: Alan Roy, Greg Jay, and Scot Douglas. The family made their home on Valley View Ranch, where he lived until 2016, when he became a resident at Pioneer Lodge. Eleanor preceded him in death on January 15, 1991.
Larry and Audrey Chenoweth Carpenter were married on February 14, 1992. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2011.
Larry was a farmer/rancher with his father on the Valley View Ranch, which was homesteaded by his grandfather, Roy Ellis, in 1909. Larry and his father also owned and operated the Valley View Feed Mill, which was built in 1965. The feed mill employed many people over the years, many of whom are still Larry's friends.
Larry had a great passion for being a firefighter. His family has said that he lived and breathed it. He joined the Comanche County Fire Department in 1958. He was elected Comanche County Fire Chief in 1989. He held that position until 2016, when his declining health forced his retirement. His son, Greg Ellis, was elected to fill his fire boots as fire chief at that time. Larry continued to use his passion to serve as the Assistant County Fire Chief. During his career as a fireman, he was presented with 2 awards that show even more evidence of his passion for the fire department. The first award was the 2000 Firemanship Award, presented by the Kansas State Fire Fighters Association. In 2013, he received the Chief of the Year, for dedication and service to the Kansas Fire Service. This award was presented by the Kansas State Association of
The Chiefs. Larry was also a member of the Executive Board for the Kansas State Fire Chief's Association. He worked with other Fire Chiefs in the state on legislation the helped The Department across the state.
Larry was also a member of the Comanche Lodge #295. He was in charge of delivering the takeout meals at the annual Masonic Lodge Thanksgiving Dinner.

Larry's survivors include 2 sons: Alan Roy and his wife Pearl and Greg Jay and his wife Maxine, all of Coldwater; 1 sister: Judy Kerstetter of Coldwater; 1 step-son: DeWayne Crouse and his wife Audra of Wichita; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his 2 wives, Larry was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother: Gary Duane Ellis; one son: Scot Douglas Ellis; 1 daughter-in-law: Angela Mae Conrad Ellis; 1 granddaughter-in-law: Lona Elizabeth Huck Ellis; and 1 great-grandson: Tegan Gregg Ellis.

Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017 (Family Will Greet Friends From 5-7) at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

Funeral Service is at 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2017, at South Central High School Gymnasium in Coldwater, KS, with Pastor Juan Espinoza and Pastor Gary Merritt presiding.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater, KS.

Memorials are suggested to Coldwater United Methodist Church or Comanche County Fire Department in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.