Raymond Dean Ellison

Raymond Dean Ellison, 93, of Lexington, Missouri passed away Tuesday, August 21, 2024, at Riverbend Heights in Lexington, Missouri.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday, August 26, 2024, at Trinity United Church of Christ, 1312 Franklin Ave Lexington, MO, 64067. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the church. The interment with military honors will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Trinity United Church of Christ. Memories of Dean and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 S. St., Lexington, MO, 64067, 660-259-2245.

Dean was born February 22, 1931, in Burlington Junction, Missouri to Ray Alonzo and Lora (Sloan) Ellison. He graduated in 1949 from Elmo High School. He proudly served in the Army, achieving the rank of Corporal during his time of service from 1952, until his honorable discharge in 1954. He owned and operated Dean’s Small Engine Repair for many years as a mechanic. He was united in marriage to Fern (Nadler) Ellison on April 27, 2015, in Lexington, Missouri. Dean is an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ. Along with spending time with family and friends, Dean was known for his green thumb and his work on machinery, particularly on his truck and small engines. 

Dean is survived by his wife, Fern Ellison of Lexington, MO; two children, Patricia Ellison of Lexington, MO and Penny (Chuck) Smith of Lexington, MO; one son-in-law, Jeff Jorgensen of Lee's Summit, MO; three stepsons, Dennis Calvert of Houston, TX, Keith Calvert of Richmond, MO, and Lindell Calvert of Mayview, MO; three grandchildren, Chaz (Toni) Smith, Ryan (Josey) Jorgensen, and Jared (Hadley) Jorgensen; ten step grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; two step great-great grandchildren; one brother, Paul Ellison of Liberty, MO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Along with both his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Joan Kelley; two children, Wanda Ellison at infancy, and Paula Jorgensen; one stepson, Michael Calvert; a step daughter-in-law, Rita Moyer Calvert.