Robert Medeen Ellington
June 9, 1928 - January 26, 2006
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Obituary
ROBERT MEDEEN ELLINGTON
Age 77, died on January 26, 2006, in Burien, WA. A lifelong resident of the Des Moines area, he was born on June 9, 1928, in Seattle, WA. An Army veteran of the Korean War, Bob went on to work as a graphic designer for The Boeing Company, retiring after more than 30 years of service. He designed, built, and first owned the Yardarm Pub in Des Moines, and was very active in the community, especially with the Des Moines Jaycees, where he became a Senator, their highest award. A tinker and inventor of all sorts of things, he helped design the Jaycees floats that ran in the Waterland Festival and SeaFair. His creative energies found many different outlets, including the creation of Gus the Goeduck, the mascot of the Des Moines Jaycees. He loved spending time with family and friends in the outdoors. He loved old-time radio programs, mystery books, crossword puzzles, and was active in the Seattle Area Darts Association, where he used his talents to design tournament posters, tee shirt logos, and programs. His house was his home, and he was able to live independently up until his death. He is survived by his two sons, Larry, Big Island, Hawaii, and Jim, Poulsbo, WA; one sister, Lois Roberts, Des Moines, WA; three grandchildren, Dustin, Jason and Shalee Ellington; he was affectionately known as “Uncle Bob” to many nieces and nephews. A Commemorative ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 4th, at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac 206 242-1787. Memorials to the Boy Scouts of America or Medic One. Please sign the online memorial @ www.bonneywatson.com
You were a great fishing buddy. You will be missed by all your Ross Lake, Spectacle Lake, and Pinause Lake friends. I enjoyed your great humor, and knowledge picked up from your extensive reading. May all your lines be tight! FISH ON!
Uncle Bob will be missed, especially on Sunday dinner and playing cards. We love you. Steve & Martha Kindell
Jerry was a friend from college days at Western Washington. Bob or affectionaly known as Duke by college friends was best man at our wedding in November 1955.
We went camping with the Ellington family and enjoyed a fish fry that Bob’s mother prepared for the campers.
We had not seen Bob since 1990 when Jerry retired from the Boeing company. We will treasure our memories of Bob. Condolences to all of the family from Jerry and Mavis Moore.
Current members of Junior Chamber International owe a debt to those whose past leadership laid the foundation of this great Organization.
Robert Ellington,
JCI Sen #10323, thank you for your contribution of time, talent, and passion.
You have my deepest sympathy, I shall pray for Robert and for solace for his grieving family
With the passing of every JCI
Senator the world loses a truly kind and compassionate person. For only a true believer in the Jaycee Creed becomes a Senator, for having lived the Creed and especially the last line, “service to humanity is the best work of life.”
Every Senator lost a friend and a fellow believer in the goodness in the world and our fellow man. But the world benefited and is better for Bob’s life, and that is his everlasting legacy.
I know he is in God’s graces, because he gave of himself to help others.
Terry Fisher, Senator#32574
Bob was the instigator in my meeting Joy,now my wife, 30 years ago. We had many a fond fishing and camping trips throughout Washington and Canada. He was an expert trout fisherman both fly fishing and rod and reel. He loved to just sit back, relax and tell stories of his wilderness experiences and his latest inventions.
We will miss him
Bill and Joy Showers
Bob was not just a co-worker, he was a friend. I worked with him for many years at Boeing. Paula and I were involved with him in the dart-world at Dartmasters. ‘Just Think Of The Possibilities’ was definitely Bob’s Mantra, he was always conjuring up something, or constructing a mockup of some new idea that he had. Bob will be greatly missed.
Noel & Paula Simonelli
I have wonderful Jaycee memories with Bob. I shall never forget him, his work in the community and love of Jaycees.
Thank you for your kindness and warm impression you gave me from many years ago.
I am writing this memorial for myself and my mother Betty Pilato. Bob and my mom were friends for years and years. She absolutely adored him. I talked to Bob many times and found him to be a wonderful and caring man. We would have conversations about my mom and her starting stages of Alzheimer’s. He was very worried about her. They would talk on the phone every day. I want Bobs family to know how much my family appreciated him for being there for my mom after my father passed away in 1995. My mom and I will miss him.
I have fond memories of Bob from my childhood as a neighbor. He was always very kind to me when I was over playing with Larry and Jim.