DONALD ROBERT ELLIS, a retired high school lead teacher, died Thursday, March 1st, 2018. He was 65 years old and has battled the effects of Parkinson's disease with Lewy Body Dementia. A native of Niagara Falls, New York, Donald was the son of Donald Ellis and Colleen Griffith Ellis. Donald studied the city and came to know its layout as a youngster delivering the Niagara Falls Gazette newspaper to 30% of the city by foot, and his bike. DONALD attended the city schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High. While playing basketball with friends the summer before his high school senior year a stranger approached them and informed them that New York state had college opportunities for financially challenged young people. Donald became excited, because he wanted to be a history teacher. So, with the college application the stranger gave him he applied and was accepted at SUNY at Fredonia. Donald became very involved in student life and joined the Black Student Council. In his junior year he became president of the Black Student Council and met a new student on campus, his future wife Jennifer Jones. The highlight of that year however was his decision to travel to Africa and study in the countries of Nigeria and Liberia. Donald's roommate was from Nigeria and he was thrilled to take them news about their son. Senior year was challenging because he insisted that he student teach in an ethnic area. He moved to Buffalo for a semester, taught and studied. Donald returned to Fredonia for his final semester and graduated in 1974. U of Cincinnati contacted Donald and invited him for an interview about a master's degree. Both were impressed. Donald enjoyed teaching, so he taught everything from middle to high school. He taught at St. Mark, St. Francis De Sales, and Taft High School in Cincinnati. At Taft High he achieved the ranking of Lead Teacher and became the union leader for the school. Donald and Jennifer were introduced to Cincinnati Church of Christ in 1998 by Gillies Collins and his wife in 1998. He became a faithful disciple. He loved church services, PrimeTime and the spirit of family gatherings. Donald was a devoted husband and father to one son Matthew; but many of Matthew's friends considered his dad their dad. Donald leaves to cherish his memory: wife Jennifer; son, Matthew; his brothers and sisters, Rodney * (Sharon), Arielle (Jason), Kayla, Donald Ellis, Jr. (Jennifer), Matthew, Colleen Butler (William), Markeeta, Rudolph Ellis (Renea), Shanita, Caleb, Cecilia Baker (George), Shino, George Jr., Kalema, Sandra Ellis, Isaiah, Gregory Ellis (Vanasser), Kendall, Jordan, Garth Ellis (Rhonda) Lintel, Ta-Shara, Monae, Darresha, Takara; Mark Ellis (Gina), Kenisha, Markus, Markeis, KeAndre and Markaysha, as well as host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial Service 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2018, at CINCINNATI CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4220 GALBRAITH ROAD, CINCINNATI 45236 To share a memory of Donald or leave a special message for the Ellis family, please click the Share Button below. Walker Funerals and Cremations - Cincinnati, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati (45206) is serving the Ellis family. Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.