Morris Martin Ellis

Life didn't ask me first.

It just gave me you,
like sunlight slipping through a cloudy
morning. My special friend.

I wasn't looking,
but you became
my every thought, my every heartbeat.

You were my safe place,
my calm in the chaos.
my little world where everything made sense.

I imagined life
always wrapped around you,
never questioning a single moment.

And then the world shifted.
It took you away,
and left me learning
how to breathe alone,
how to feel whole without you.

Now I walk slowly,
carrying pieces of you
in everything I do,
trying to find peace
between the empty spaces.

Forever missing you.

In memory of Morris M. Ellis; veteran, mentor, and elder of the old paths.

Morris and I met in an unlikely place: a video game Guns of Glory... What began as pixels and quests became something far more human. We bonded over shared military scars, different generations speaking the same quiet language of endurance. Over time, he became a mentor and a father figure, offering steady leadership, hard-earned wisdom, and compassion without pretense.

His guidance helped shape me into a better parent and a stronger partner. He showed by example that strength can be gentle, that accountability is an act of love, and that tradition is not about clinging to the past, but carrying forward what still works.

His sudden passing in August 2025 hit hard. I was caught off guard, weighed down by regret for not staying closer, and I fell into a deep depression in the wake of his loss. That pain is real, and it remains. But it is not wasted. I am taking that grief and putting it to work living in a way that honors what he gave me.

In October, I was ordained as a minister of Wicca. I am continuing my education in spirituality and mental health in his honor, carrying forward the old traditions he respected and the care for others he embodied.

Morris is missed deeply. His influence endures in my family as my now 12 yo son steps into that same path by making the decision to join The USAF Civil Air Patrol. And let's not forget the quiet moments in-between where his voice still guides me.

May he rest well beyond the veil.
May the old gods know him as kin.

~ Msgr. James "H3x0r" Kulikowski Jr (Mx)
Disabled Veteran USAF

I sure will miss Morris’ smiling face and friendly demeanor along with his candor! Tammy and Chip, I’m so sorry and I do know that he loved you both. One day at a time.