Jack Payne Ellis, 83, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of September 10, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society-Liberal in Liberal, Kansas.

Jack was born on July 2, 1943, in Danville, Illinois, the second of three sons, to James Payne Ellis and Leslie Elizabeth Ellis (Hansbrough). After graduating from Community R-VI High School near Laddonia, MO in 1961, he worked for his father and other farmers in the Laddonia area before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1963.

Jack served proudly as a cook aboard the USS Arneb, USS Hickman County, and USS Iwo Jima; he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal before receiving an honorable discharge in 1967. After completing his military service, he returned to Laddonia, where he continued farming.

In 1968, Jack met the love of his life, Evelyn Marie Clarke, daughter of George Oliver Clarke and Bertha Mae Clarke (Shotwell), of Laddonia. They were married in 1969. Jack and Evelyn established both a farm and a family near Laddonia and remained active in the community until they moved away in 1978.

In 1979, Jack and his family moved to Liberal, Kansas, where he continued his career as a true Jack-of-all-trades in agribusiness. Known as an avid tinkerer, Jack had a gift for fixing things and was always willing to put his skills to work when something needed repair. Evelyn taught physical education at all seven of Liberal’s elementary schools before closing her career as the librarian at South Middle School.

Above all, Jack was devoted to his children and deeply enjoyed being a grandfather. He took immense pride in his children and grandchildren, finding joy in following their activities, celebrating their accomplishments, and sharing in the milestones of their lives. In his leisure time, he enjoyed watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers James Leslie Ellis and Jerry Warren Ellis.

He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Ellis (Clarke), of Liberal, Kansas; daughter Annette Gregory (Ellis) and her husband, Roger, of Houston, Texas, son Jarrett Ellis of Erie, Colorado, son Michael Ellis and his wife, Tiffany, of Arlington, Virginia, and grandchildren Collin and Evan Gregory of Houston, Texas, Norah Ellis of Erie, Colorado, and Lillian and Wesley Ellis of Arlington, Virginia. He is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Jack will be remembered for his hardworking spirit, his ability to fix almost anything, his love of sports, and, above all, his enduring devotion to his family.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico, Missouri. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park in Mexico, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jack to the Good Samaritan Foundation, P.O. Box 5039, Sioux Falls, SD 57117, or online at good-sam.com/foundation. Please designate gifts as “In Memory of Jack Ellis, GSS-Liberal, KS.”