Kenneth Ken"" Leroy Ellis, Sr.

Kenneth "Ken" Leroy Ellis, Sr., 76, of Aztec, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 13, 2009, after a long battle with cancer. Ken was born May 8, 1933 in Montebello, California, the youngest of five children of Clarence Edward Ellis and Elizabeth May Judkins Ellis. In addition to owning Oliver's Restaurant in his later life, Ken's earlier life revolved around racing, primarily top fuel dragsters. He was extremely well known for his magnificent hand-crafted race car bodies made of aluminum and magnesium. Some of the race cars Ken built are now in the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California. His driving skill and innovations, such as the three-wheel dragster, were legendary. He drove winning cars for many top racers, as well as his own cars. Ken retired as a fireman from the City of Vernon, California, in 1985. Ken leaves behind his wife, Barbara; son Ken Ellis Jr.; stepdaughters, Debbie Bayer, Shelley Stinson, Lucie Preece and Lisa McFadden, sisters, Cleo Brimhall and Lorraine Beff, and brother, Dale Ellis. Ken is in the care of: Cope Memorial Chapel of Aztec 405 S. Main Ave. Aztec, NM 87410 (505) 334-9332