James “Jimmy” Edward Ellis, a distinguished auto dealer in the Atlanta area, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2022, at age 67. Ellis had served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jim Ellis Automotive Group since January of 2015 after serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the group for 18 years.
Ellis’s parents, Jim and Billie, used all of their life savings to open their first auto dealership in 1971, and the Jim Ellis Automotive Group gradually expanded and now consists of 20 dealerships that represent 17 brands. Ellis’s roots in the family-owned business ran deep, as he helped out in his father’s first dealership during his high school studies.
After working as a technician through most of his 20’s and spending a short period of time at Perimeter College at Georgia State University, Ellis was named General Manager of a Tucker, Georgia-based Porsche-Audi dealership owned by his father. He would subsequently work to become one of the most prominent figures in Georgia’s auto industry, highly respected by employees, customers, and competitors.
Under his leadership, Jim Ellis Automotive Group has won many accolades including the Consumer’s Choice Award, CARFAX’s Top Dealer designation, and a Top Work Places award.
Ellis also served on various boards of directors, including the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association and the Chamblee Doraville Community Improvement District. Ellis was also heavily involved in the community and positively impacted countless lives through the auto group’s Holiday Giving Campaign, Employee Charity Golf Tournament, and many other initiatives.
Ellis is survived by his parents, Jim and Billie, loving wife of 48 years Glynnell Ellis, sisters, Karen Ellis-Black and Kristi Ellis-Cohron, son, Wesley Ellis, daughter, Stacey Ellis Hodges; and many other family members, friends, and colleagues.
Funeral services for Jimmy will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Johns Creek Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Shaun King officiating. Burial will follow at Peachtree Memorial Park, Peachtree Corners, GA. The family will gather with friends on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Peachtree Corners Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center – Medical Office Building at Scottish Rite Hospital – www.choa.org/medical-services/cancer-and-blood-disorders?cid=_fu-ho_ch-Yx_na3_na4_d-yxll_na6.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.
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