James “Terry” Ellis, 73, of Bakersfield, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
He was born on April 18, 1953 in Corcoran, California, to James “Jerry” and Mary Lee Ellis.
Terry was a car enthusiast with a passion for muscle cars. He enjoyed driving, listening to music, and admiring cars at shows. His happiest moments were spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he cherished deeply.
He married Diana, the love of his life on June 14, 1974, and they shared 51 wonderful years together.
He went to work at Baxter Lab for 39 years as a forklift driver before retiring in 2012.
Terry is survived by his mother, Mary, his wife Diana, two children, a daughter, Holly Anderson and her husband, Bobby, of Gainesville, Missouri, and a son, Christopher Ellis and his wife Jess, of Gamaliel, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Kendra and her husband Steve, Chrissa, Keyvinn and his wife Natalia, Lakely, and Damon; six great grandchildren, Hendrix, Gemma, Riley, Vivian, Jocelynn, and Payton; a sister-in-law, Gail Ellis; two brothers-in-law, Gary Hardsastle and Ken Hardcastle, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Ellis, his sister, Donna Pool, his brother, Gary Ellis, and a nephew Jeffery Ellis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks and Twin Lakes Litreracy Council.
A funeral service will be held Monday, April 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.
A private burial will be held later.