Wade G. Ellis

1925 - 2014

Wade G. Ellis, owner of Massey Sand and Rock Co., dies at 88. Ellis, respected local businessman, lived and worked in the Coachella Valley for over 50 years. Born in Appleton City, Mo. on March 23, 1925, Ellis grew up on a small farm. He knew at an early age that he didn't want to be a farmer so he studied hard at the one-room schoolhouse he attended all the way up until high school. At 17, he was the first in his family to attend college when he enrolled at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri. He finished his freshman year before enlisting in the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ellis served as the Supply Officer on the USS Pocomoke, a Navy seaplane tender, in the South Pacific. After the war, Ellis returned to the University of Missouri where he graduated with a degree in Business and Accounting. After graduation, Ellis moved to California and looked for a job. He found work as an accountant in Los Angeles, at a Big Eight accounting firm. Soon, he was sent to the Coachella Valley on an assignment for one of the firm's client. Always wanting to go into business for himself, and convinced the desert would grow, Ellis moved to Indio and opened up an accounting practice on Oasis Street. Although the accounting practice grew quickly, Ellis had the urge to do more. He founded or co-founded several desert businesses, including Ellis Transportation Co., High Desert Cement, CoVal Concrete Pipe Co., Kimbo Corporation and Empire Sales. Ellis eventually became owner and CEO of Massey Sand and Rock Co where he worked for many years, growing that company into one of the Coachella Valley's largest employers. In 1986, he sold Massey Sand and Rock Company and most of his other local business interests to Tarmac, a British, publicly traded, multi-national construction company. Later, the company was sold again to its current owner, Granite Construction. After retiring from business, Ellis moved permanently to Corona Del Mar, California, an area he had loved since first moving to California. There, with family in attendance, Ellis died of natural causes in his home, on January 18, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Elsie B. Ellis and four children from his first marriage to Anita L. Ellis. They are: Kimberly Yourman of Newport Beach, Tim Ellis of La Quinta, Mark Ellis of Corona Del Mar and Karen Ellis of Santa Rosa. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the La Quinta Resort Hotel 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider making a contribution to a charity of their choice.