David Andrew Ellis

Dave, aka Ellis D, died May 13, 2020 at the age of 57. Dave fought leukemia for over 18 months with more courage and grit than most could have mustered, but in the end, the cancer was too much. Dave was a master carpenter by trade and a long-time fixture in the skateboarding world: Dave helped design and build countless ramps all over the country, some as well-known as the X Games ramps, and some as far as Thailand.

Dave leaves behind a sister, Leslie Johnson, and a niece Zoe Johnson, both residents of Orlando, as well as a vast array of cousins and other family members, along with a myriad of friends of all walks of life. He was a long-time resident of Central Florida, with many years spent in Orlando then Gainesville. In 2010, he decided to return to school and graduated from Santa Fe College with an Associates Degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology three years later.

When working as a carpenter in someone’s home, he regularly received compliments on his superior craftsmanship and his professional nature, and left hoards of satisfied clients in his wake.

Throughout his life, Dave also loved his crossword puzzles, as well as teaching himself new songs on whatever instrument was his current favorite, most likely a guitar or a piano. He was involved in several musical projects over the years, and most recently played guitar in the punk rock band Loose Bearings.

Dave was an amazing, curious, intelligent, loving, beautiful, generous, and very funny man with a passion for music, skateboarding, food, art, and friends. He will be missed forever by the many people his life touched.

The family would like to extend a deep thank you to all who loved him and remember what an amazing person he truly was.