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Fun Times

September 19, 2021
Larry and I have several memories of our boat trips on the Willamette (of course Tim at the helm) and lively dinners at Jorie and Tim’s Portland home full of stories.
We enjoyed hearing about their adventures throughout the world and learned a lot as well.
Tim was always up for fun, with his kind heart and welcoming personality. 
Tim Ellis will always be remembered.❤️

Jan & Larry Bauer


Japan

September 17, 2021
Tim and Jorie came to visit our family along with another friend, while we lived in Tokyo back in the summer of 2004. It was a lovely trip, we did all the fun stops in Tokyo such as going to several shrines, walking the Imperial Palace grounds, touring the thatched houses and the giant Buddha in Kamakura, enjoying the night life in Shibuya, and strolling through Yoyogi Park, just to name a few of our destinations.

Jorie and Tim really wanted to also have an authentic Japanese experience so we also went out to the countryside and stayed at a lovely ryokan. Now, this was a special ryokan in that it also had beautiful onsens or naturally hot mineral baths; a delightful experience for weary travelers and a very big part of the Japanese culture. When we arrived to the ryokan we immediately realized that we were in way over our heads! Unfortunately, none of us, including myself who had already lived in Japan for a year, had the level of Japanese language expertise to really understand what in the world we were supposed to do!

There was apparently a schedule for when we could use the baths and there were specific rules for how we would go about accessing them, and we had arrived to the ryokon late. We had no clue when our schedule was, how to wear the yukata, what to wear under the yukata, how to properly bathe for the onsen, where the men go, where the women go, etc. Once we got to our rooms, I called a friend of mine who had been living in Japan for nearly ten years and she walked us through the protocols. I shared these with the Ellis's and we all decided to meet downstairs after changing into our yukatas (wearing nothing but our birthday suits underneath). 

On our way to our meeting spot in the lobby the four of us somehow met, by coincidence, on the elevator. So, here we are, one guy (Tim) with three women, all friends, all standing alone on an elevator in a completely different culture, and all of us knowing that the only thing separating our nakedness from the world (and each other) was a thin, beautiful cotton kimono called a yukata. We all looked at each other realizing this, and burst into uncontrollable laughter. Here we were, clueless and mostly-naked, incorrectly wearing these beautiful yukatas and standing awkwardly in our slippers... it was absolutely hilarious! What a sight we must have been!

Of all the unique and fun experiences I had in the four years while living in Japan, this was among the most memorable. I'll never forget Tim's acceptance of being completely vulnerable with Jorie and two of her friends in this very funny, once in a lifetime situation. Tim's laughter and smile was unforgettable on the elevator that day.

What a remarkable man and friend. Weldon and I miss you, Tim.

Tribute to Dad

August 22, 2021
On July 27, 2021, our family gathered on the river to scatter Dad's ashes. The tribute I read follows.

Hello family,
We’re here today to scatter Dad's ashes.
But more than that, we’re here to remember, mourn, celebrate and honor a beautiful life.
We will miss him but no one can fault his wonderful journey of life.
We’re here to say goodbye.
We remember the love he had for each and every one of us.
We mourn the loss of his presence in our life.
We celebrate the legacy that he left us.
And we honor his life – which will live on in how he impacted each and every one of us – even as we say goodbye to his mortal remains.

So please, gather around, and we will say farewell.

Dick and Kristen's Travels with Tim and Jorie

August 15, 2021
Episode #1: Our first trip with Tim and Jorie was in Whidbey Island on Tim’s Sailboat, High Bid. We bonded over Gin and Tonics while stuck in the mud waiting for a high tide.
August 15, 2021
Episode #2: Our next adventure was a raft trip down the Deschutes River with the crew from North Clackamas School District’s Department of Special Education. The highlight of the trip, for the observers, was when a branch overturned Jorie and I while Kayaking in front of the rafts. Tim awarded Dick the “Serpent Seekers Award” for helping to clear the campsite of rattlesnakes.
August 15, 2021
Episode #3: We spent lots of time boating n the American San Juans and the Canadian Gulf Islands. We had a lot of fun times exploring by land and sea.  Here we are enjoying a beautiful late afternoon on Patos Island (where seconds later, Jorie was stung by a swarm of Yellow jackets) and cared for by Dr. Tim.
August 15, 2021
Episode #4: After spending several hours unloading the boat and setting up camp in the perfect location on Spencer Spit located on Lopez Island, a Park Ranger evicted us as it was a “no camping” area.
August 15, 2021
Episode #5: Many afternoons were spent water skiing on the Willamette River in Ellis’ Chaparral. Tim was the world’s best ski boat driver, but none of us could ever remember him getting in the water regardless of how hot it was.
August 15, 2021
Episode #6: After trips to Lake Shasta, Detroit Lake, Snake River, Lake Billy Chinook,  Rancho Mirage and Loreto, Baja Sur Mexico, Tim and Jorie visited us in Priest Lake, Idaho. A fun afternoon was spent boating to the Upper Lake in search of Moose and Bear.
August 15, 2021
Tim was a generous host, a great friend and an experienced tour guide. He was happiest being close to the water, sharing his experiences, knowledge and love of all outdoor adventures. All of us will miss his laugh, his wit, his smile and his wonderful partnership with the love of his life, Jorie.

Dick and Kristen Winn

The Good Life

July 11, 2021
Fine food and drink are part of the good life. Tim was a fan of the good life and an enthusiastic member our gourmet club formed in the 1990's, The BonAARPetits. Tim and Jorie, the Smith's, the Grinnell's, and the Hakanson's shared a great meal together quarterly for more than two decades. Each couple hosted once a year and prepared all the food courses and paired them with excellent wines. These were memorable events with good friends. Early on we decided as a group that the final meeting of the year, hosted in December, would include formal attire. Tim, a fan of casual wear, initially resisted this move. But peer pressure (championed by Jorie, I'm sure) won the day. All the women in holiday dress and the men in tuxedos was a sight to behold. The good life indeed!

Hiking Memories

July 9, 2021
Tim was a strong hiker and a congenial trail companion. Tim and Jorie and René and I hiked many a mile together — often in the Columbia Gorge when we were living in Portland — and in the mountains around the Coachella Valley over several seasons in the desert. Tim was always up for a challenge and faced a long, dusty day on a steep trail with good humor. Especially in the desert after our hikes, we all enjoyed rehydrating and restoring lost calories at various watering holes including Blue Coyote in old Palm Springs and the Tommy Bahama Bar in El Paseo. So when we think of our hiking buddy, Tim, we're reminded of the old and apt saying, "Not all those who wander are lost."

Car Guy

July 6, 2021
As you all know, Tim was a car guy. Whether it was the vintage Porsche, the Acura Legend, or the Jeep Grand Cherokee, he reveled in car culture. He especially enjoyed off-roading. I fondly remember his stories of rallying in his earlier life. René and I had a couple of fun off-road adventures with Jorie and Tim. One was a day long loop trail through Joshua Tree National Park in the Jeep. He skillfully maneuvered through sand and cactus as we found our way along the trail. On another trip to eastern Oregon we navigated the backcountry to the top of Steen's Mountain at nearly 10,000'. Tim loved driving and exploring. I remember well his arms-out driving position, always ready for the unexpected. I also recall that he liked every car color as long as it was white!

Egypt Adventure

July 5, 2021
In 2011, Jorie, Tim, René and I traveled to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel. Our itinerary included time in Cairo, visits to the big monuments and a leisurely cruise on the Nile. There were many memorable moments. The first took place before we even left the states. We rendezvoused in Newark for our Egypt Air flight to Cairo. As we were checking in, the airline was offering a reasonably priced upgrade to business class which we snapped up with visions of premium service across the pond. Visions of cocktails and fine wines danced in our heads. We boarded, found our sleeper seats and settled in. But when we tried to order a departure cocktail, we were informed that Egypt Air did not serve alcohol! Our first culture shock and we weren't even off of the ground. The trip ran smoothly, until the final couple of days. As it turned out, the Arab Spring was just around the corner. We were advised to stay in our Cairo hotel on the last night. Our last morning, we were shuttled to the airport to catch our flight home under chaotic conditions. As it turned out, our flight was the last to leave Cairo before the airport was closed for an extended period. Adventure travel indeed. As usual, Tim was unflappable in the face of the challenges.
June 27, 2021
Dear Tim,

When I met you in the "tip club", little did I know that we would each find our future love mates. Fate led me first to my Wendy and then because I met her, you ended up meeting your Jorie. We still chuckle at the speed that you and Jorie left our house before dessert was even served on your first meeting. 

Many times our friendship flourished and we had great meals, good times in Mexico, trips in your boat on the river and a wonderful get together in Palm Springs. You shared your love of travel, of California and Jorie, making our lives richer because of it.

You are missed and your memory is a blessing to us all.

Your friend,
Win Bohme

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