Lt. Col. Farris Gerald Ellis "Jere" passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 30, 2021 at the age of 78. He will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, brother, father and grandfather.

Jere was born October 7, 1943 in Chattanooga TN and grew up in Flintstone GA, a suburb of Chattanooga.  He graduated from Chattanooga Central High School, where he earned his HAM radio and Morse Code operator licenses, and achieved Eagle Scout status with the Boy Scouts of America. He also discovered his musical talents with any instrument, but specifically the trumpet in the marching band. After graduation in 1961 he attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN, where he met and married his wife of 56 years, Fannie Jane Jones, in 1965.  He acquired his Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology in 1966 and took a position as a Safety Engineer at the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville. Shortly after, he worked on the Nickajack Dam project, in this same position.  In 1967, Jere enlisted in the United States Air Force. One of his greatest passions was flying, but his military training began in communications at Lackland AFB, Texas. His stations included Biloxi, MS, Orlando, FL, Valdosta, GA, Charleston and Sumter, SC. With every move came new challenges all of which he met with determination to be a better man, husband and father.  Most of his training was flight training but he was also jungle, survival and reconnaissance ready.  He served in the Vietnam War from 1972-1973, stationed in Udorn, Thailand, where he flew reconnaissance missions in the RF-4C Phantom II. Before retiring from the Air Force in 1978, he worked diligently to receive his Master's Degree in Business, from Golden Gate University, which became a valuable asset in running his real estate and construction companies.  Building and construction was always a part of his life.  He loved to design and build just about anything.  He once again entered the aviation industry in 1981 by accepting a position in the King's Fleet, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Saudia Airlines.  Gulfstream jets were his new vehicle of choice. Training would bring him to Savannah, GA every summer for four years until he accepted a position as a pilot with Gulfstream Aerospace in 1985. He, Fannie, and his family finally settled down, and built their forever home in Rincon, GA. In 1991, he was called up to serve with the Air Force Reserves to fly a tour in Operation Desert Storm, during which he flew cargo runs in the C-141. During his military career he was awarded with two Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, and two Air Force Air Medals, for heroic and meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. During his private sector aviation career he was humbled and honored to fly George W. Bush, Yassar Arafat as well as numerous entertainers and dignitaries.

Jere was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Sumter, SC and a member of Westside Baptist Church.  In more recent years he was a home builder who built 16 homes in Effingham County, GA.  When he wasn't flying or working on building plans you could find him outside camping, fishing, riding the Can Am, or just enjoying coffee and conversation with his friend Jim Moses and beloved wife Fannie, on their back porch. During his life he owned several personal planes and was a member of our local Briar Patch in Springfield, GA. He was honored by the flight community with a letter of accommodation from the FAA and the Savannah Air Traffic Manager for aiding in locating a downed plane and helping guide emergency services to the crash site.

He was preceded in death by his father, Farris Washington Ellis, mother, Nethia Cuzzort Ellis, brother, Timothy Ellis and nephew, Brandon Reece.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Fannie Ellis; his children, Carmon Ellis, Tammy Chappell and husband Mark, Brad Ellis and wife Brandy, and Stephen Ellis and wife Shannon; his cherished baby sister, Sherry Reece and husband James; grandchildren, Joseph (Carmon), Matthew and Sarah (Tammy), Peyton, Liam, and Paysley (Brad), Austin, Camry, Carson, Gavin, Gracie, Abigail and Jackson (Stephen); niece, Angela Miller; and nephew, Justin Reece.

Jere believed in being as charitable as your heart leads you to be with any number of organizations, friends, strangers and churches therefore the family requests that his memory be honored with donations to any charity of your choice, or the American Heart Association.

At his request, there will be no services as he wished for everyone to remember him in their own unique way.

Thank you for all the prayers during this time. They have been a great blessing and are much appreciated!

"I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.  Isaiah 43:25

Over and out.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel (912) 754-6421.