Tex Ellison: Difference between revisions
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'''Ira "Tex" Ellison''' (born | '''Ira "Tex" Ellison''' (born [[July 2]], [[1928]]; died [[November 5]], [[2001]] near [[Pell City]]) was the owner of the [[Tired Texan Barbecue]] restaurant for nearly 30 years. | ||
Ellison joined the U. S. Navy in [[1945]] but later | Ellison joined the U.S. Navy in [[1945]] but later transferred to the Marine Corps for electronics training. He was the first African-American air traffic radar technician in the USMC and was stationed to the Marine Corps Air Stations in Beaufort, South Carolina and El Toro, California. At both posting he and his wife [[Madeline Ellison|Madeline]] operated a side business selling barbecue. Ellison also repaired televisions for extra money. | ||
After leaving the corps in [[1967]] Ellison moved to [[Birmingham]] and opened the Tired Texan on downtown's northside. He relocated the restaurant to the vicinity of [[Legion Field]] in the early 1990s and remained there until he closed the shop in [[1996]]. He also founded [[T&T Records]] which produced 8-track recordings of services from the [[Church of God in Christ]]. | After leaving the corps in [[1967]] Ellison moved to [[Birmingham]] and opened the Tired Texan on downtown's northside. He relocated the restaurant to the vicinity of [[Legion Field]] in the early 1990s and remained there until he closed the shop in [[1996]]. He also founded [[T&T Records]] which produced 8-track recordings of services from the [[Church of God in Christ]]. | ||
Ellison disappeared in the | Ellison disappeared in the November [[2001]]. His Cadillac was later found in the [[Coosa River]], and it is presumed he became disoriented during a diabetic attack and drove into the river. He is buried at [[Highland Memorial Gardens]] in [[Bessemer]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Reynolds, Ed (January 17, 2001) "Tired No More." ''Black & White'' | * Reynolds, Ed (January 17, 2001) "Tired No More." ''Black & White'' | ||
==External links== | |||
* [http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87419728/ira-ellison Ira Ellison] at Findagrave.com | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT: Ellison, Tex}} | {{DEFAULTSORT: Ellison, Tex}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1928 births]] | ||
[[Category:2001 deaths]] | [[Category:2001 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:US Navy personnel]] | [[Category:US Navy personnel]] | ||
[[Category:USMC personnel]] | [[Category:USMC personnel]] | ||
[[Category:World War II veterans]] | |||
[[Category:Korean War veterans]] | |||
[[Category:Vietnam veterans]] | |||
[[Category:Air traffic controllers]] | [[Category:Air traffic controllers]] | ||
[[Category:Restaurateurs]] | [[Category:Restaurateurs]] | ||
[[Category:Entrepreneurs]] | [[Category:Entrepreneurs]] | ||
[[Category:Highland Memorial Gardens burials]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:45, 26 July 2019
Ira "Tex" Ellison (born July 2, 1928; died November 5, 2001 near Pell City) was the owner of the Tired Texan Barbecue restaurant for nearly 30 years.
Ellison joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 but later transferred to the Marine Corps for electronics training. He was the first African-American air traffic radar technician in the USMC and was stationed to the Marine Corps Air Stations in Beaufort, South Carolina and El Toro, California. At both posting he and his wife Madeline operated a side business selling barbecue. Ellison also repaired televisions for extra money.
After leaving the corps in 1967 Ellison moved to Birmingham and opened the Tired Texan on downtown's northside. He relocated the restaurant to the vicinity of Legion Field in the early 1990s and remained there until he closed the shop in 1996. He also founded T&T Records which produced 8-track recordings of services from the Church of God in Christ.
Ellison disappeared in the November 2001. His Cadillac was later found in the Coosa River, and it is presumed he became disoriented during a diabetic attack and drove into the river. He is buried at Highland Memorial Gardens in Bessemer.
References
- Reynolds, Ed (January 17, 2001) "Tired No More." Black & White
External links
- Ira Ellison at Findagrave.com