Merrill Leon Ellsworth

Lee Ellsworth Lee Ellsworth, of Tulsa, OK passed away with family by his side Saturday morning October 1, 2022 after a brief illness at the age of 88. Lee was born on March 10, 1934 in Fort Scott, KS to Frederick Robert and Eva Jane Ellsworth as the youngest of three sons. His brothers Bob and Don proceeded him in death. After growing up in Fort Scott, Lee attended the University of Kansas and as a freshman participated in the KU marching band playing the trombone. After his freshman year Lee joined the Navy and served active duty from 1952-1956 as a medical corp man, Chief Petty Officer. He eventually continued his services as a Naval reservist for over 20 years. While stationed in San Francisco, CA Lee met the love of his life, Mary Norene Smith who proceeded him in death in February 2021. Lee and Norene married in Blind River, Ontario, Canada in 1957 and a year later welcomed the first of four children they would have over the next six years. He and Norene returned to Kansas after their marriage and he returned to college at Kansas State Teachers College now known as Pittsburg State University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in 1960. After multiple moves throughout Kansas, Missouri and Texas Lee moved his family to Tulsa in 1968 to accept a promotion to be Sales Manager for The Travelers Insurance Company. He enjoyed many years with Travelers before spending the balance of his career as an independent insurance agent in Tulsa,OK. Poppy, as he was known by family, was a character, never met a stranger, and he always had time to visit. We will miss his laugh and his sense of humor. We will miss his stories. He loved his family, bragged about them too often, he loved his country and his church. Lee converted to Catholicism twenty years ago and soon became an active member of the Parish of Christ the King in Tulsa. The relationships he developed and the spiritual growth he experienced were an important part of Poppy's life. The family would like to thank the Christ the King community for their time, love and prayers for Lee. Lee was predeceased by his parents and his son Mark Robert Ellsworth who died in a car accident in 2002. He is survived by his son Tim (Laura) of Tulsa, OK; son Jeff (Judy) of Edmond, OK; and daughter Jan Cohen of Tulsa, OK. In addition, he leaves behind eight grandchildren; Barrett Ellsworth of Tulsa, OK; Audrey Ellsworth Radler of Ft. Worth, TX; Grady Ellsworth of Tulsa, OK; Emily Ellsworth of West Palm Beach, FL; Nic Ellsworth of Denver, CO; Katie Cohen of Austin, TX; Lucas Cohen of Tulsa, OK and Jacob Cohen of Oklahoma City, OK. Lee also saw nine great grandchildren come into the world and just missed a tenth that is due this month. Funeral mass will be on October 11th at 1:00pm with a rosary at 7:00pm Monday October 10th. The services will be held at The Parish of Christ the King. In lieu of flowers Lee had a passion for caring for veteran's and contributions in his name to Oklahoma Disabled American Veteran's at okdav.org or the Marquette Education Endowment Fund. The family would like to thank the caregivers at University Village for their care and kindness.

Merrill Leon Ellsworth

March 10, 1934 - October 1, 2022