Brian Ellis was a successful high school football player in Georgia, leading his team to win the state championship in 1987 and becoming the starting quarterback by his senior year in 1988. He went on to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy and served almost 22 years as a Marine Corps officer, specializing in helicopter piloting and instruction.
Tragically, Ellis passed away at the age of 53 in a mid-air collision over Washington, D.C. He was known for his leadership and commitment to team values, traits that stayed with him throughout his military career. Ellis formed lifelong friendships with three classmates at the Naval Academy, who were referred to as “the four musketeers.” They played Navy football together, trained on summer cruises, and attended Marine Basic School at Quantico.
Ellis was described by his friends as a loyal and supportive individual who would do anything for those close to him. Even after retiring as a Lt. Colonel from the Marine Corps in 2015, he continued to work in a leadership role at Deloitte. Ellis is survived by his wife, two sons, parents, and siblings. His passing generated an outpouring of tributes on social media from classmates, teammates, and colleagues who remembered him as a dedicated leader, coach, and friend.
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