Thomas (Tom) Denton Ellis, 74, died Saturday, March 30, 2024, at his home in Springfield, Missouri, following a long illness. Tom was a native of Springfield, and he returned in 2003 after living nearly 30 years in Phoenix, Arizona, to reside in his childhood home the rest of his life. He was the son of Thomas Franklin (Frank) Ellis and Helen Louise Denton Ellis. Tom graduated from Glendale High School and earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Journalism. Tom began his career as a reporter at the Springfield Daily News. He continued his career in journalism as a reporter and assistant copy editor at newspapers in the Phoenix area. He then was employed for 17 years in public relations at First Interstate Bank of Arizona, which later became Wells Fargo. Tom left the bank to form his own company, Ellis Communications, LLC. He relocated his business to Springfield in 2003, where it operated as Ellis Communications, Inc. Tom served for several years on the board of the Springfield chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and as president for a one-year term. After retirement, Tom trained two Shetland Sheepdogs and became involved with Pet Therapy of the Ozarks (PTO). He served on the board of PTO for one year. He greatly enjoyed sharing his dogs with patients in hospitals, residents in nursing homes, and students on university and college campuses.

Tom is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Diane Bailey Ellis; two adult children, Nathan Thomas Ellis, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Simon Adriane Ellis (spouse Maxx Tomlinson) of Seattle, Washington; one granddaughter, Irie Storm Tomlinson, age 4, of Seattle, Washington; one sister, Julia Ann (Judy) Cooper, of Sandy, Utah; and several nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life to honor Tom will be held Saturday, May 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. (visitors are invited to arrive when they can and leave when they wish) in the community room at Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackman Road in Springfield. The day of the celebration of life is Tom and Diane's 50th wedding anniversary.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.