Kenneth D. Ellis, 77, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026. He was dearly loved by his parents, Donald Melvin Ellis and Betty Marie Ellis, and his sister, Janice Sue Martin Ellis.

Born in Cincinnati and raised in Loveland, Ohio, Ken attended Loveland Grammar School and later excelled in athletics during high school, most notably as a member of the football team. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Ken held several early positions, including several years at Lazarus, before beginning a distinguished career with Delta Air Lines in 1971. He retired from Delta in 2006 after 35 years of service. During his tenure he worked in reservations, international sales, ticketing, and in city ticket offices. He was especially known and respected as a top training agent in Cincinnati, instructing colleagues in basic and international reservations, sales rates, procedures, and operational updates for reservation offices across the United States, as well as in Tokyo and London.

Travel was a lifelong passion for Ken; he explored destinations across Europe, the Far East, and the South Pacific. He was also a crafter and collector of model trains and planes, and he devoted much time to gardening, which he considered a particular joy and pastime.

Following retirement, Ken underwent a successful liver transplant at UC (University of Cincinnati) Medical and demonstrated remarkable determination and strength during recovery.

Ken will be remembered for his generous nature, willingness to share his time and expertise, and his kind spirit. He is survived by his niece, Amber Arnold Martin, and her family, numerous relatives on his mother’s side in Kansas, and his close friend Lewis Monzon Aguirre, with whom he maintained a 31-year friendship.

The family kindly requests donations to UC (University of Cincinnati) Medical Center instead of flowers and expresses deep appreciation to its staff for the compassionate, excellent care provided during Ken’s treatment.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date in the fall of 2026.