Norman Estes “Bud” Ellis
Durant, OK- Norman Estes “Bud” Ellis, 84, passed from this life peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024, in Calera, Oklahoma. Bud was born Tuesday, July 23, 1940, to Estes Bertis Ellis and Velma Leora (Swindle) Ellis.
Bud was a life-long resident of Durant, graduating with the class of 1958. He married his sweetheart, Frankie Jane Green, on February 17, 1962, in Durant. She preceded him in death on February 12, 2019. Bud worked as a produce manager for over fifty years with Green Spray and various other local stores.
Bud was an accomplished bowler and member of both the Grayson and Bryan County Bowling Association’s Halls of Fame and the Ken-Cliff Lanes Hall of Fame. A committed participant and fan of the sport, he competed in the USBC Open Tournament 30 combined years, 28 consecutively, and took an active role instilling the same love for the game in his own children and many others. The Ellis family is the first in Oklahoma to have three generations of 300-game bowlers. Bud was proud to be associated with his parents at Big O Donut, a successful business that was on First Street for many years.
He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Bud is survived by his daughter, Diana Ellis of Durant; sons, Mark Ellis of Norman, OK, and Brent Ellis and his wife, Jami, of Calera, OK; grandchildren, Tara Langford of Dallas, TX, Brianna Norman and husband, Rett, of Newcastle, OK, and Matt Ellis of Norman, OK; great-grandkids Jaiden, Adelynn, and Londyn Langford, Jayce Raye, and Ellie Norman; extended family Brad and Kayla Story and their children, Eric and Avi Story and their children, and Julie and Dillon Lillibridge and their children; sisters, Claudette Keck of Odessa, TX, and Kaye Cox and her husband, John, of Durant; brother, Steve Ellis and his wife, Debbie, of Denison, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation will be held from 1-2 PM on Friday, August 30, at Brown’s Funeral Home.
Memorial services will follow at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 30, at Brown’s Funeral Home chapel with Randy Sullivan and Elwood Reding officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.