Rev. J.W. Ellsworth

Reverend Jack Wayne Ellsworth was born July 19, 1925, in Slick, Oklahoma and left this life on October 5, 2018, surrounded by family at his home in Catoosa, Oklahoma. He was the fifth child of Delbert and Donnie Ellsworth. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kathryn Ellsworth, three brothers, Levoy Ellsworth, Charles Ellsworth and John Ellsworth and two sisters, Margaret Eaton and Opal Bryan. He is survived by, his wife, Mildred Ellsworth, two sisters, Mona Balius and Nedra Ellsworth, sons Darrell Ellsworth and his wife Michele, and Dennis Ellsworth, daughter Kathy McNutt and her husband Mark, step son Paul Voorhees and wife Janice; grandchildren Darren Ellsworth and his wife Jennifer, Shawn Ellsworth, Matthew Ellsworth and his wife Moi, Kim McCarty and her husband Scott, Markey McNutt, II and his wife Annah; great grandchildren Zachary and Zoe McCarty; Connor, Aidan and Rory McNutt; Colleen, Jonah, Ian and Avery Ellsworth. Jack spent his earliest years in Bald Hill, Oklahoma, a small settlement populated mostly by oilfield workers and farmers, before moving with his family to Beggs, Oklahoma. He received Jesus Christ as his savior in 1933 and preached his first sermon at the age of 15 at Beggs Assembly of God, after much practice on his seven brothers and sisters, who were his captive audience! In the fall of 1941, his family moved to Newton, Illinois. Jack met his wife, Kathryn Brackett, while attending Newton High School. He graduated high school in 1942. After graduation, he entered the United States Marine Corp and served his country from August 1942 until December 1945, aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans in the South Pacific. During his service in the South Pacific, he was involved in the liberation of prisoners of war in Manila and the concentration camps in mainland China. He was part of seven major beach landings in WWII and provided reconnaissance of Iwo Jima that resulted in the taking of the island and the iconic planting of the American flag. While in the Marines, Jack and Kathryn were married in Henderson, Kentucky. Shortly before he was discharged, his son Darrell was born. When he came home for Christmas in 1945, he found his son, in a basket, under the Christmas tree. His second son, Dennis, was born in Stroud, OK, after Jack had moved his family back home to Oklahoma. The call to minister was always on his mind, and in 1947, he moved to Springfield, MO to attend Central Bible Institute. While there, he ministered to the Assembly of God church in Antioch, MO. From 1948 -1952 he pastored the Assembly of God church in Murphysboro, IL and in 1952 moved to Pawnee, IL to serve at Pawnee Assembly of God. It was here, that his daughter, Kathy, was born. He also went on to pastor in Alton, IL and Quincy, IL Between 1963 and 1966, Jack served as the pastor of the Assembly of God church in Columbus, GA. In 1966, he returned to Oklahoma to be near family, after he was told by doctors that he had inoperable colon cancer and was going to die. While lying emaciated on his death bed, the presence of the Lord entered the room, instantly and miraculously healing him. Shortly after, God called him to start a church in east Tulsa. On June 4, 1967, he held the first service of East 21st Street Assembly, now known as Eastland Assembly of God. He served faithfully at Eastland for nineteen years. After the death of his wife Kathryn, he married Mildred Voorhees and moved to Springfield, MO and pastored Parkcrest Assembly of God before becoming a missionary to Hong Kong and China, where he built a thriving congregation that remains strong to this day. Since WWII, it had been in his heart to return to China with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God gave him great opportunity to do just that. In June of 2015, Jack moved back to Oklahoma, one last time. He lived in the home of his daughter, Kathy, who faithfully cared for him in his final 3 1/2 years of life. He had the privilege of returning to Eastland Assembly to be ministered to in the church he had founded. Pastor Ellsworth leaves a legacy of love, compassion, kindness, generosity, strength, service, faithfulness and most importantly, faith. His life touched countless others with the message of the saving and transforming grace of Jesus Christ, whom he served, honored and glorified with every breath of his life. At the family's request, contributions can be made, in Pastor Ellsworth's name, to Eastland Assembly of God, to further the ministry of the church he founded and poured his life into for so many years. "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." Colossians 1:9-14 NLT Pastor Ellsworth's life pointed people to Christ. The celebration of his life should do nothing less. His heart's desire was to see people transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He longed for people to know and understand the God he served in an intimate and personal way. That begins with a simple step, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NLT Visitation all day Thursday, October 11 and Friday, October 12 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK with family greeting friends from 5:30-7:30 PM. Viewing will also be 10AM-1PM, Saturday, October 13 at Eastland Assembly of God, 12310 E. 21st, Tulsa, OK followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 P.M. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Rev. J.W. Ellsworth

July 19, 1925 - October 5, 2018