Parker "Oldtimer" Passes Away

[Boatcop]

James "Frank" Ellis, 90 passed away March 22, 2003.
Frank retired to Prrker in 1969 and opened the Chevron Station at the old Blue Water Marina. After his son, Bob's death in the late 70's he ran Ellis Marine which was right next door. Most of us knew it as "Frank's Marine".
He retired again in 1995 when the Blue Water Casino project forced the doors on Ellis Marine to close. The business was moved to Earp, where it only held on for a few more years.
I remember Frank as one of the most knowledgeble outboard and marine engine mechanics on the Strip. He went out of his way to find that obscure part you needed to get back on the water. Most of it in his own vast inventory.
He was preceded in death by his wife Susie, and is survived by his daughter-in-law, Barbara Ellis, 4 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a Memorial to Frank and Susie's lives held here over the 2003 Thanksgiving Weekend.

[C-Ya]

I remember Frank and Sue well. My dad rented a storage from them from 1969 till 1983. I always played with their Cockatoo "Cookie". They never got over the loss of their son who died while participating in the Parker Enduro. The last time I saw Suzie she was in the advanced stages of Altzheimers. I am sure it was very tuff on Frank.
Boatcop,
Let me know the details of Franks memorial as it draws nearer to Thanksgiving.
C-Ya

[BUSTI]

what a great guy! In 1973 we were camping at BlueWater in the aluminum cabanas and we were up there on a friday in advance of the ski races on lake Havasu that weekend. During practice on friday I blew the motor in my Aquacraft flatbottom and did it late Friday nite. There was not enough time to go back to LA and put in my spare deal and get back to Havasu in time to race the next morning. Frank felt bad for us as we tried to determine what was wrong with the deal there in his yard and see if it was salbagable. Without asking he called me to the back of his shop where he pulled off a tarp covering a big block chevy.060 over with all the good shit pan to carb. He helped us take the old deal out and put the new one in. Well we finished around 11pm. We went to Havasu the next morning and raced for two straight days!
I told Frank that I would not be able to pay him for the engine right then...and he said "hell I'm not selling it to you just lending it to you. I see you around here alot with your folks and I know your a regular guy! At least you show your Dad alot of respect when your here. Pay me for what you break and just return it on Sunday." Well we used it and gave it back to him on Sunday as we promised. He was a Merc service repair shop as I remember and I dont know why he had that BBc hiding in his garage for but thank God he did or all eught of us including my skiiers would have been shit out of luck! HE NEVER ASKED ME FOR MY LAST NAME! On a hand shake he let me roll right out the gate. What a great guy!!! He taught me what a class act was all about and for years I frequented his shop even if it was to buy only one qrt. of oil. If I was buying something it was from Frank's Marine. Them were the good ol dats and he was one of the Good Ol Guys. Parker was a better place for me back then knowing he was there.

[TCHB]

Yes Frank was a great guy. We were on vacation and had a steering cable fail mid week. I pulled up on the beach walked over to the shop and explained he conern. He dropped everything and came over to help me out. Good GUY Sad News.

[Wet Dream]

Guys like that are hard to find anymore. Sounds like he was a great man.