He was a retired teacher, lifelong farmer, levee surveyor and attended the Dermott Baptist Church. Mr. Ellington attended Arkansas A&M College (now UAM) for two years before earning his BSE and his Masters Degree from Arkansas State University. His first teaching job was at Wilson, AR where he taught for one year. He then taught five years at Dickinson, TX before coming back to Portland, AR as a math teacher and counselor. He was also a member of the Dermott School Board for many years.
Mr. Ellington was a 2010 inductee into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame as he was on the first UAM basketball team to win an AIC conference championship. One of his greatest interests was working with the Jerome Historical Preservation Committee and the Japanese Relocation Interment Camps. He spent a lot of time staying in touch with various individuals that wanted to come back and tour these camps.
Other than being very involved with various farming groups dealing with rice and soybeans, he loved cooking for himself and others and loved to travel, especially to Australia. He was an avid hunter in his younger years and was a very gifted mathematician. Until his death, he was always an educator both in and out of the classroom.
Survivors include his wife of fifty years, Linda Jackson Ellington of Dermott; two sons, David "Rafe" Ellington and wife, Shannon of Pine Bluff and Kim R. Ellington and wife, Sharon of Jerome; his brother, James M. Ellington of McGehee; his sister, Martha Ann Offutt of Jerome; four grandchildren, Christopher Ellington, Ashley Ellington Lovette, Emily Ellington and Amanda Ellington; and two great grandchildren, Samuel and Hunter Lovette.
Condolences(35)
Dr. Chris Gelenter
Jonesboro, AR Wednesday, May 13, 2015 I worked as the High School Principal for Dermott High School in Dermott, Arkansas 1998-2001 while Mr. Ellington was the School Board President there. He was a very knowledgeable, patient and wise man who cared deeply for his community and his school district. I remember many Sunday morning breakfasts at the local truck stop right outside of Dermott visiting with and learning from this knowledgeable man. Mr. Ellington enjoyed sharing and always learning. My condolences to his family.Paul H. Hayashi
Chapel Hill, NC Friday, May 25, 2012 Dear Ms. Ellington (Linda),You may remember me, my wife and daughter. In April of this year, we paid an unannounced visit on John and you in the hospital in Pine Bluff. You were kind enough to receive us in John’s room. I was very sad to hear of John's passing. You looked so worried and yet hopeful; your love for him was quite evident.
My mother was interned at Jerome during the War. I first met John when I visited the Jerome Relocation Camp site on your property 6 years ago. I was alone taking pictures, and John drove up in his truck to introduce himself, saying "I'll bet your Mama or Daddy were here before." He kindly took me on a tour and invited me into your home to view some mementos from camp. I saw no incentive for him to take care of the site other than his sense of history and the role we all have in it. I'll always remember these things, his kindness and his diligent honoring of the site. It made my trip unforgettable.
When my wife heard of my meeting John, she wanted to visit Jerome as well. It took us 6 years, but we made it. I am glad she got to meet your husband on our way to Jerome. We hope to visit again some day.
With warmest sympathy and highest regard,
Paul H. Hayashi, MD, MPH
University of North Carolina
Irene Hirano Inouye
Washington, DC Thursday, May 24, 2012 Our deepest condolences to the Ellington Family upon John's passing. As the former President/CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, I had the opportunity to meet John several times in Arkansas and Los Angeles. One of my fondest memories is my first visit to the Jerome site with John and Dr. Sybil Hampton, preceded by a wonderful lunch at the family business' offices. He contributed so much to the recognition of Jerome and Arkansas as an important part of the World War II history. He had many Japanese American friends who were grateful to John and the Ellington family for their friendship and partnership. My husband, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who also had the pleasure of meeting John at the Arkansas events, joins me in conveying our sympathy at John's passing. He left an important legacy for which we will always be grateful.Aloha,
Irene Hirano Inouye
LILLIAN Wimpy Kissinger
JONESBORO, AR Wednesday, May 23, 2012 John was a good man.We met when he was in collage,he visited the Wimpy family and usually a meal,what fun sitting around the table laughing and talking.I wish his family peace and will pray for all of you.Ike & Ruth Hatchimonji
Torrance, CA Thursday, May 17, 2012 Although I was not in either Jerome or Rohwer camps, I was impressed by Mr. Ellington, first of all by his height next to the Japanese Americans but mostly about what he did for the internees during the war. His modest and warm words showed that the Japanese Americans had friends who remembered him well.He will be well remembered by those who knew him.
Please accept our deepest sympathies,
Ike & Ruth Hatchimonji
Jim & Annette Becker
Boerne, TX Thursday, May 17, 2012 Kim, Sharon & Family,We would like to extend our deepest condolences to all for your loss. Even though we did not know John personally, we know what a wonderful man he was and that he was also a friend and mentor to so many people whose lives he touched. Peace and Blessings to all, Jim & Annette Becker
Jimmy & Ann Jones
Brownsville, TX Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Dear Linda,We are so sorry to hear about John.
He was a very good school board member & helped me a lot. He was a good man & good friend.
God Bless,
Jimmy & Ann Jones
Raines Family
Bryant, Hot Springs and Little Rock, AR Wednesday, May 16, 2012 We shared our childhood and early teen years with John in Jerome, Dermott and various fishing/hunting locations in the area. We were blessed to have his long legs under our dinner table on lots of occasions. Although far too infrequently we maintained contact all these decades. What a wonderful friend! Our sincere condolences.The Preacher's Kids (Walter E. & Ava Raines)
Jim, David, Tom (Nevada), Janice, Ruth, Eddie
Foye Lowe
Baton Rouge, LA Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Some people are known indirectly, which is mostly how I knew John Ellington. Every time over the years I have passed the Japanese Relocation Internment Camp location in Jerome, I have appreciated John, and his efforts to preserve that site. As, really, I have appreciated him ever since DHS football practice in high school, when he helped the undermanned Rams practice in a rebuilding year, and it took the whole team to tackle him . . .Sybil Jordan Hampton
Little Rock, AR Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Dear Linda:John was an incredibly dear and gentle soul. His dedicaton to insuring that the internment of Japanese Americans in Arkansas during World War II would not be forgotten is only part of his enduring legacy.
"Not every hero gets a statue built in the town square. Some have to settle for a more lasting legacy: an overflowing, beautiful tree whose branches are the friends and family of an entire lifetime and whose blooms are memories and lessons and stories and smiles that will never fade."
Tina Ferguson
Monticello, AR Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Kim , Sharon And Family ;You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
We pray you find comfort in the great memories you made during the time you were able to share with Mr. Ellington.
Ray,Tina and Becca Ferguson
Bill Goodman
Pine Bluff, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 Head of wonderfully family. Never forgotten.Beverly Cokley
Dermott, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 All my Ellington friends:There are no words to express the great sorrow and void I have in my heart because of my dear "big brother's" death. There are no words I can say to any of you, other than to let you know that as long as I live, John Picard will be in my heart, and his goodness towards me and my family will never be forgotten. I wish each of you peace at this sad time, and in the days to come. I know he is resting now.
Much love,
Beverly
Ann trieschmann
little rock, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 John will be missed, He was a person who never met a stranger. We sat on the front row in the Dermott HighAuditorium when Elvis came to town. We laughed about
that at a class reunion about 3 years ago. I enjoyed reaading about his Australia trip and his kindness to the
people wanting to revisit the internment place in Jerome.
May God Bless you ,( his family. )
Jim Porter
Lilburn, GA Monday, May 14, 2012 Sleep well Big John, you earned a good rest. Jim PorterLanny Ashlock
Conway, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 To the John Ellington Family,our deepest sympathy.I've lost a very dear friend.
Lanny Ashlock
Suzanne Whorton Lewis
Austin, TX Monday, May 14, 2012 Dear Linda and Family,I was saddened to hear of John's passing. I don't know if I've met him before, as I don't recall him ever attending the Rhodes Family Reunion. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Suzanne Whorton Lewis and family
Patti Eskola
Alexander, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 Linda--I am so sorry to hear about John, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.James and Kathy Berry
Monticello, AR Monday, May 14, 2012 Kim--Sharon and FamilyWe are so sorry for your loss of Mr. John. James counted him as one of his farmer friends and he will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you
James and Kathy
Annette Crockett Dunn
Star City, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 That's a wonderful picture of John and even though I haven't seen him in maybe fifty years, I have met Kim when I came over to the sod farm. John was always special and cared about people. May your family, friends and faith sustain you all with this loss.Sincerely
Annette Crockett Dunn
Andy Herren
Sherwood, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 Grew up across the gravel road from John in high school, in Jerome, Ar. John was a pieceful and caring person. We call him "Pic", My heart sank when i heard that he had left this earth. He will be missed.Betty Gay Shuler
Portland, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 The sympathy of our family is with all of you in your loss.We have lots of memories of John as a teacher in Portland.
Mary Eleanor (Herren) Henderson
Portland, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 To John's Family:John was a great friend. We lived on the same Jerome road for a few years and he was the best. Our parents were good friends and we have such happy memories of those times.
God Bless you all!!
Love to you all
Mary Eleanor
Miriam and David Lester
Pine Bluff, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 Papa John was one of the best man I have ever met. David and I both are so very sorry for your loss.Bill Hale
Dumas, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 The Ellington family has touched the lives of many over the years. John will be greatly missed. All of the family are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bring you comfort during this time!Cherie Bradford
WARREN, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 Linda, Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Cherie BradfordRobert and Rachel Boyd
Rison, AR Sunday, May 13, 2012 Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with your family.Josh & Angie Frost
Monticello, AR Saturday, May 12, 2012 We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family will be in our prayers as you go through this difficult time. God bless!Bobby Ellis Gilliam
Shreveport, LA Saturday, May 12, 2012Our Prawers are for the whole family. Ellis Gilliam my
father and mother and I were livivg in Jerome and close friends of Ernest Ellington and family. I am about 3 1/2 years older than John Pickard Ellington.
We were there when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
Mr. Earnest Ellington and my father were really close. Ellis Gilliam was with the Farm Security Administration,
Marty Nix
Pine Bluff, AR Saturday, May 12, 2012 I am so sorry for your loss, Linda. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.DC WIMPY JR and WAUN WIMPY
pattaya, AR Saturday, May 12, 2012 john was almost like a brother to me as are all ur family we are one big family our prayers are with u now i dont know when i will return to the states for another visit but please go on as john would have wanted u to our thoughts are with uRonnie & Anna Carol Benson
Camden, AR Saturday, May 12, 2012 We offer our deepest sympathy to you, John's family, and keep you all in our prayers. God Bless!Deborah Morris
Roland, AR Saturday, May 12, 2012 Linda, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers. I will see you when you are back in Little Rock.MIKE AND CONNIE BURNSIDE
Bay City, TX Friday, May 11, 2012 THE LORD HAS TAKEN A GREAT MAN, TO BE WITH HIM.Linda Cortez
Pine Bluff, AR Friday, May 11, 2012 Officer Ellington,I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
You're in my prayers.
Linda Cortez