Roger R. Ellison, 63, of Poplar Court, Greeneville, passed away Friday at Laughlin Memorial Hospital after an extended battle with cancer.

Mr. Ellison was a partner at East Tennessee Forest Products of Mosheim. He was a former co-owner of East Tennessee Forest Distribution, also of Mosheim.

In his earlier career, he worked for more than 10 years as an accountant at Magnavox and later Philips Consumer Electronics Co. in Greeneville and in finance at Laughlin Memorial Hospital in Greeneville.

A dedicated Christian, one of the greatest joys of his life was serving the Lord at Pine Springs Baptist Church, where he served as deacon for 17 years, teacher of the Discipleship training class, as teacher of the Men's Sunday School Class and as Sunday School treasurer, both for 27 years, until his failing health prevented him from doing so.

In honor of his service and as testimony of its love, the church named him Sunday School Treasurer Emeritus in 2010. From 1999 until 2003, he served as moderator of the East Tennessee Baptist Association in Newport, the association to which his church belongs. He was a member of his church choir, the Pine Springs Singers, and sang for a number of years with the Living Christmas Tree Choir of First Baptist Church in Greeneville.

A native of Newport, he was the son of Keppy and Dorothy Lunsford Ellison, who preceded him in death.

He was a graduate of Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City.

Mr. Ellison was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife loved to travel and did so extensively in the U.S. and Europe, including the countries of England, Scotland, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Austria, as well as short stops in Switzerland and Germany.

He immensely enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and found special joy in his two grandsons, Daniel and Sebastian.

He was an avid reader and Bible scholar and had a special love of history, especially the Civil War era.

He was a great fan of UT football and the Indianapolis Colts as well as 1960s music. His life was fulfilling and rewarding, and he leaves behind a host of friends around the world.

As his nephew, Dr. Drew Reynolds, recently stated, "Everyone who ever knew him loved him."

Mr. Ellison often emphasized during his final illness how blessed he was by God with his wonderful family and friends, his church family, and his business partners and associates.

A kind and unassuming man, he lived his life to the fullest with joy and thankfulness; and he departed this life with no regrets, looking forward to meeting his Heavenly Father and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven and the final reunion with all his family and friends, never to part again. His was truly a life well-lived and enjoyed.

He is survived by the love of his life, his devoted wife and caregiver: Shelia Tarlton Ellison, with whom he would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on June 11; two beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Christy Kay and Dr. Andreas Kemf of Linz, Austria, and Courtney Lee and Bryan McClure of Louisville, Ky.; two grandsons: Daniel Patrick Garner Kemf and Sebastian Elias Kemf, both of Linz; a special sister-in-law: Kay Tarlton Reynolds of Greeneville; two dear nephews: Dr. Drew H. Reynolds and wife, Dr. Laura Griffith Reynolds, and their two children, Archer David and Palmer Ellen Reynolds, all of Memphis, and Dr. Ethan E. Reynolds of St. Louis, Mo.

Additionally, he is survived by an aunt: Jonita Ellison Lunsford of White Pine, and several cousins and their spouses.

Among those to whom he was especially close during his final illness were Alwayne and Anne Lunsford of High Point, N.C., Marcus and Shirley Lunsford Mooneyham of Newport, Rose Lunsford Wilkinson of Alcoa, and Shirley and Frances Willis of Parrottsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, David H. Reynolds; his grandparents, Terrell Anderson and Allie Lee Lunsford and William Isaac and Rhoda James Ellison; several aunts and uncles: Oscar and Belva Strange Lunsford, T.A. "Ance" and Ethel Carlisle Lunsford, Clifford and Orpha Carlisle Lunsford, Jim and Ella Lunsford Crowder, Emmette and Della Ellison Lunsford, Leonard and Tessie Lunsford Willis, Allen Lunsford, Ernest and Annie Lunsford Seay, and Eugene and Azzalea Lunsford Willis.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Gerald Tarlton and the Rev. Lynn Hartsell will officiate.

Interment will follow in Pine Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Scottie Tarlton, J.V. Tarlton, Aaron Tarlton, Bill Nance, the Rev. Dennis Milligan, and Earl Jarnigan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Elliott Stott, Charles Stott, Robert Stott, Gary Cole, Amie Carter, Dick Fawbush, Billy F. Smith, Jeremiah Smith, Zeb Smith, Joe Cole, Robert Tarlton, the Rev. Mike Brooks, Dr. Dharmen Patel, Dr. Shelia Yokley, Dr. Stephen Flohr, Dr. John Boys, Dr. James Swenson, and the staffs of all their offices, as well as all the people of Pine Springs Baptist Church and all the churches in Greeneville, Greene County, and Newport who supported him with their prayers, cards, and phone calls during his final illness.