Ellis Lee McCormack, age 85, of Jonesborough, TN passed away on September 21, 2023.

He was born in West Middletown, Ohio to Charles and Mabel Crebs, the youngest of four children. He and his sister Jane Jordan were adopted by Anthony Vitkauskas when their mother remarried. They all preceded him in death as well two twin great grandchildren. Called the “professor” by Tony, he was the only one in his family to graduate high school and attend college. He served as a police officer in Manchester, Ohio for several years after high school, a career that never left his heart. Moving to Texas with his family, Ellis worked as a machinist and then a prototype machinist for Bell Helicopter. He was a 290 bowler, a competitive weight lifter, and valued fitness. Later moving to California, starting as a prototype machinist, then supervisor of the shop, he gathered the skills he needed to move to the Quality Assurance Department. He retired from Hughes Aircraft as a Senior Quality Engineer. He then moved into a Quality Manager position for another aerospace company. He semi-retired in 2000. He was still very active outdoors during these years, skating marathons, biking, bowling, working out with weights and motorcycle riding. His active attitude kept him healthy.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia McCormack (TN) and his two daughters, Patty Hicks of LA and Carol Gilliam of TX, three grandsons, Matthew and Jarrett Hicks of LA, and John Gilliam of FL, and three great grandchildren, as well as, three nieces and four nephews.

His “Celebration of Life” will be held at:
Grace Fellowship Church, 2314 Greenwood Dr.
Johnson City, TN 37604 on November 28, 2023, at 5:30 PM
Live Cast: gfcnow.com/eventstream

In lieu of flowers donations to one of the below would honor his memory and heart:
National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund; Saint Labre Indian School; Wounded Warrior Project; Parkinsons Foundation