Tony Ray Ellis

Tony Ray Ellis, 79, of Irmo passed away on April 1, 2024. He was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, on December 14, 1944, to George Ray Ellis and Mary Faye Catoe Ellis. Tony graduated from Lancaster Senior High School. He then attended the University of South Carolina-Lancaster Campus for two years, finishing at USC-Columbia in 1967 with a BS degree in Business Administration. He earned a Master’s degree in Management from Central Michigan University in 1978. While attending USC-Lancaster, Tony worked with Springs in Fort Lawn at the Leroy and Francis plants. He served as a medic with the 3270th US Army Hospital Augmentation Unit during the Vietnam conflict. Tony started a long career in public service with the State Board of Health, which later became the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as a purchasing agent. Years later he transferred to the State Budget and Control Board as Director of State Purchasing. He worked with the State Legislature to write the SC Consolidated Procurement Code enacted into law by Governor Dick Riley in 1981. Tony was appointed the first Materials Management Officer. He was later promoted to Agency Director of the Division of General Services responsible for state purchasing, state insurance reserve fund, office of state engineer for capital construction and the manufactured housing board. Tony was the first Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) in South Carolina and initiated training for state, city, county, school districts and special purpose districts with the assistance of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). Tony was a charter member of the South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials (SCAGPO) and taught courses to train and certify public procurement officials nationally and in Canada. He served in several capacities with NIGP over the years and was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. Later he moved to the SC Department of Corrections as Director of Prison Industries. In this capacity, he developed training programs for inmates teaching them job skills they could use upon re-entry to the workforce upon release. Tony served on the board of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) in several capacities and was presented the Rodli award for outstanding service. He later received the President’s Award. Tony married Jo Anne Miller in 1971 and is survived by his loving wife of 52 years and son, Jonathan Ellis, daughter, Jennifer Elmore (Jeff), four grandchildren, Parker Ogden (Jana), Max Elmore, Madison Ellis, John-Miller Ellis, and one great grandchild, Hallie Ogden. Tony is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Miles, and nephew, Jeffrey Peay (Angela) and great-niece, Sophie Peay. Tony stated on several occasions the best advice he ever received was from his father as follows: “No matter what task you are called upon to do, whether great or small, do it to the best of your ability and do it with integrity.” The memorial service for Tony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024, in the chapel of Temples-Halloran Funeral Home. Mr. Parker Ogden will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to Lighthouse for Life. https://lighthouseforlife.org