Dick Ellis, 94, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2021, in his home in Sedona, Arizona.
Dick was born Dec. 28, 1926, on the family farm in rural Dallas Center.
Starting school in a one-room country schoolhouse, Dick was always a leader and was very civic minded. He put his talents to good use by being very active in the school’s extracurricular activities, including music, drama and sports. He was also president of Dallas County 4-H.
After graduating in 1944, he attended one quarter at Iowa State College and then was drafted. He was in U.S. Army training when World War II was declared over. Then he was stationed with Gen. McArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and served with the occupation forces for a year.
After his discharge, he returned to ISU, where he met his wife and partner of 72 years, Jo Schroeder. They were married Oct. 2, 1948. They lived on the family farm, where they raised their daughter, Linda.
Even through farming is a full-time effort, Dick was active in many leadership roles. He was very involved in Farm Bureau, serving many years in various area at the county and state levels. He also led the board of Central Iowa Farm Service for nine years and was elected to the Iowa State Farm Bureau board.
The local Presbyterian Church was an important part of Dick’s life, where he held many offices and sang in the choir for many years.
On the lighter side, he loved playing softball and competed for about 20 years. He played in a league in Tokyo and then on several teams in central Iowa, often in state tournaments.
Besides farming, Dick and Jo were involved in breeding, raising and showing purebred Arabian horses as well as being involved in Iowa and national equine organizations. After 65 years, in 1992 Dick and Jo sold out their farming interests, including all of their horses, and moved to Sedona, Arizona.
Once in Arizona, Dick was quickly challenged by the need to preserve and enhance the beauty and sustainability of the Southwest, so he joined several volunteer organizations and became active in water and land use. This led to his involvement with the Sedona City Council and his election as mayor of Sedona. He was also very active in Keep Sedona Beautiful.
Dick is survived by his wife of 72 year, Jo Ellis; and daughter, Lina (Myles) Andrews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, sister and nephew.
