Ronald Thorp Ellis, known to many as “Ronny” or “Ronnie,” passed away at home on March 20, 2026. He was 86 years old.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas. Burial will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas.
Ronny was born on August 22, 1939, in Brownwood, Texas, to the late Tim and Dorothy Ellis. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1957 and went on to attend Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Vocational Agriculture in 1962 and his Master’s in Education in 1969.
Ronny dedicated 38 years to education. He spent 37 of those years with Brownwood Independent School District, serving as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent before retiring in 2000. His influence touched generations of students, colleagues, and families in the Brownwood community.
Beyond education, Ronny was a proud third-generation rancher. The family ranch, acquired in 1875, was his true sanctuary. He found pure joy sitting on the tailgate watching his cows graze and taking in the land he loved. He loved working cattle alongside family and close friends, often joking that cows were easier to deal with than people. At the ranch, he passed down life lessons to his grandchildren-about hard work, resilience, and perspective-always reminding them, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Together with his wife Gail, he built a family cabin as a gathering place to create lasting memories.
In retirement, Ronny enjoyed traveling with his wife Gail, taking numerous cruises, and never passing up a chance to try his luck gambling. He looked forward to his weekly Monday afternoon 42 domino game with lifelong friends. Above all, Ronny was his grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader-he never missed a sporting event or dance recital, proudly supporting them in volleyball, softball, track, baseball, basketball, pole vault, football, and more. As if he didn’t have enough to do, he loved driving around town looking for the next fixer upper to add to his rental portfolio.
Ronny is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Gail Ellis; sons Thad Ellis and wife Emily of Brownwood, Kyle Ellis and wife Kimberly of Brownwood; daughter Lindsay Zacharko and husband Jason of Prosper, Texas; bonus daughter Toni Damron and husband Carter, and son Calder of Blanket, Texas; mother-in-law Carlotta Schwartz of Brownwood; grandchildren Caden and Kylie Ellis, Maci Read, Kayla Graff and husband Kademon, Kenna, Kelton, and Kate Ellis, Luke and Jillian Zacharko; and great-grandchildren Rylan and Avery Graff, and Imani Ellis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tim and Dorothy Ellis; brother Jim Ellis; son Mark Ellis; and granddaughter Brooke Ellis.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Heather and Shelia from the Infusion Unit at Hendrick Medical Center for their compassionate care and kindness during Ronny’s weekly transfusion visits.
Ronny lived a full life grounded in faith, family, hard work, and quiet humor. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
