Paul Herbert "Herb" Ellis, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 10, 2015. Herb was born in Iola, Kansas on January 19, 1941 to Mabel Fackler Ellis and Paul Herbert Ellis, Sr. He married Ruth Ottman McGuffin in Denton, TX in July, 1993.

He graduated from Iola High School in Kansas in 1959. During his youth, he was an active member of the Prairie Dell Kansas 4H Club where he proudly raised a champion Black Angus steer. Later, he attended Kansas State and graduated from North Texas State University in 1971. He was the service manager for the Ellis family business, Denton Dodge. He was also a past president for the Denton Jaycees from 1966-1967. Herb became an educator teaching math and coaching basketball at Muenster ISD, Congress Jr. High, Denton High School and North Central Texas College.

After retiring, he started his own business fulfilling his passion for woodworking and remodeling homes. Herb had a zest for life and enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. with his wife in their RV, "Gus". He loved Jeeping in the mountains, fly fishing and spending time with their circle of camping friends. Herb was an accomplished chef and loved cooking for family and friends. He was also an avid stamp collector and a longtime member of The American Philatelist Society.

Herb is survived by his wife Ruth Ottman Ellis of Sanger, Texas; son, Mike Ellis of Glendale, AZ; daughter, Janie Bill of Sanger, TX; stepsons, Heath Allen and wife Marcie of Sanger, TX, Justin McGuffin and wife Tiffany of Arlington, TX; Wayne Hahn and wife Laurie of Leander; TX and Matt McGuffin and wife Sonya of Colorado Springs, CO; stepdaughter, Jennifer Paddack and husband Jim of Krum, TX; 11 grandchildren; Brooke Sharver, Hailey and Mason Allen, Finn and Jillian McGuffin, Jacob, Ben, and Nathan McGuffin, Zane Paddack, and Ryan and Emily Hahn; brother, Steve Ellis and wife Mary Kay of Spring, TX; nieces Stephanie Moore and husband Stacey of Spring, TX; Allison Miller and husband Dale of Danville, CA; his "adopted" son Sam Cervantes; two great-nieces and two great-nephews, several cousins and many friends. He will be sorely missed by his beloved lap dogs Bentley and Rene` Ellis. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

The family will receive visitors at DeBerry Funeral Directors on Sunday, December 13th, from 1:00-3:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Monday, December 14th at 2:00 pm, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2255 N. Bonnie Brae, Denton, TX, 76207. Graveside services will follow at the Sanger Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard Hamlin, Kent Rider, Casey Barclay, Josh Reed, Danny Grady, and Stacey Moore.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church School, Denton.