Max H Ellis

of Newport Beach and Palm Springs passed away September 28 of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder at age 91.

Max was born in Iowa and moved to Los Angeles during the Depression. He moved to Montebello when East Los Angeles was orange groves. He grew up with an interest in go-carts and helping his next door neighbor with his race car. Also, he loved music and became a big band musician at the age of 17. When he played his trombone in the Biltmore Bowl he wore a fake mustache to look older. Because he had two young children, he was deferred from the war. The government, however, made him a truck driver delivering laundry to the troops. From that experience he developed an interest in heavy trucking equipment. In his garage he designed and developed the famous “Ellis Manifold”. He established Ellis & Vans Foundry, then Ellis Truck Repair and designed the famous Ellis “Safe Wide Wheel” for motor homes. He was active with Lincoln on the Mexico road race and won that race for Lincoln. He also developed the first “Propane Conversion” for automobiles. His last venture was the patented “Aerodynamically Ventilated Disc Braking System” for 18 Wheelers. Max Ellis was very active as a businessman in the Montebello area. He was voted businessman of the year. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Optimist Club for 2 years, and President of the Rose Float Association. He was a winner in the Rose Parade for the float. He was President for 12 years in the Roorag Club, a men’s social “and do no charity” club. His greatest pride was working as a mechanic for JC Agajanian in the Indianapolis 500 races which they won in 1952. His latest involvement at Indy included a member of the Certification Committee on the race and he has been elected to the Prestigious Old-timers Club which includes the race drivers, mechanics and owners of the race cars.

Max is survived by wife Patricia Wright-Ellis, son Mark Ellis and Linda, daughter Lynann Ellis-Barnes, grandson Kirby Ellis and Gina, nephew Russell Wright and Elaine of New Mexico, John & Linette Wright-Smith of Vancouver, BC, Charles Wright, AIA & Naoko of Seattle, Betty Wright of Seattle, step-children Rachel & Tom Gaglio and Glenn Honig.

Services will be private and at sea. People who wish to honor his memory may contribute to Hoag Hospital Foundation, Newport Beach.