Dennis Theodore "Ted" Ellis of Columbia, SC passed away, April 14, 2018, at the age of 81 of natural causes. Born in Lumberton, NC, on June 23, 1936, he was a son of the late Lois Tyndall Jackson and Theodore Hoke Ellis. Ted was a loving husband to his wife of 57 years, Ursula Neuner Ellis, and a proud father of two daughters. He was a person of faith and a positive influence on everyone he met. Ted was a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Ted served in the US Army for over 20 years, retiring as a Major. During that time, he served in the Vietnam War and Dominican Conflict receiving Two Bronze Stars, a National Defense Service Medal, and Armed Services Expeditionary Medal. Upon his retirement from the military, he went on to work with the US Postal Service for 28 years, retiring as head of the Columbia Accounting Office. He finished his career working for Intramed Plus for 11 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ursula; daughters, Patricia Drake, Sandy Redfern (Wayne); grandchildren, Katlyn, Kelsey, and Spencer Redfern, Sarah Drake, and Allie Drake Smith (Bryant); great-grandson, Noah Smith; step-mother, Hazel Ellis; brothers, Lannie Ellis, Tommy Baxley, Pete Baxley (Ann); sisters, Betsy Massengill (Reggie), Judy Moore (Allen), and Bobbie Ellis. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Bill Ellis and Jimmy Baxley; and sisters, Deanna Ferrell and Linda Hudson.

The funeral service for Mr. Ellis will be held 1 o'clock, Tuesday, April 17th, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 525 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, with the Rev. Gary Loadholt officiating. A committal service with military honors will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia. The family will receive friends at the church, prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock, and invite friends and family following the committal service for a reception in the church fellowship hall. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. ( www.woundedwarriorproject.org )