Obituary of Johnnie Ellis Borders

Johnnie Ellis Borders Jr. was born on September 10th, 1954 into the loving arms of Betty Jean Johnson Borders, and Johnnie Ellis Borders Sr. in Macon, Georgia. Ellis graduated from Mountain Pine High School in Mountain Pine, Arkansas in 1972, and in the fall of that same year, enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served with honor and distinction until his retirement 27 years later. In Ellis' early years in the Air Force, he performed mission critical maintenance as a Jet Engine Technician on a variety of aircraft while stationed in the United States, and in Southeast Asia. The Air Force recognized Ellis's natural and GOD given ability to mentor and counsel his fellow airmen. As such, Ellis proudly served as a First Sargent for ten years. Assignments as a First Sergeant include USCENTAF at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, Wilford Hall, and Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Ellis also served as the First Sergeant for 8th Air Force Headquarters, Barksdale Air Force Base. Ellis retired from the Air Force in November of 2004, while stationed at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, in Virginia. He served in the rank of Chief Master Sergeant for eight years. In the years since his retirement from the Air Force, Ellis continued the portrayal of positive personal influence after relocating to Colorado Springs, by becoming actively involved in Air Force Cadet Mentorship at the Air Force Academy. Yet Ellis was still not done serving the United States of America, for in 2008, Ellis joined the Department of Homeland Security as a dedicated Transportation Security Officer with the Transportation Security Administration at Secure Flight in Colorado Springs.Striding evermore to improve himself in all ways possible, Ellis advanced his formal education by working for and receiving a Business Administration degree in Psychology from Saint Leo University in August of 2005. And in June of 2007, Ellis achieved his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Troy University. His avid love of nature and fine arts provided a constant study of immense enjoyment to Ellis, and he rarely missed an opportunity to indulge himself in both bird watching, and pursuing local art galleries. Johnnie Ellis Borders Jr. was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Ellis Borders Sr., and by his younger brother Randall "Randy" Lee Borders. Ellis is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 17 years, Bernadette Borders; his mother, Betty Jean Johnson Borders of Gray, Georgia; Sue Markham, (Randall) of Dry Branch, Georgia; Ronda Fay Borders of Macon, Georgia; Bonnie Roybal, (Jake) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Monica Gutierrez, (Jimmy) also of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Danny Borders; and by an extended family in both Georgia and New Mexico.Johnnie Ellis Borders Jr. richly impacted family and friends alike, and his life, and his passing from this world shall leave a void forever in the hearts of all that loved him. As was Ellis' expressed wish, his final place of peace and rest will be located at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The date and time of interment will be announced by the family when all preparations have been finalized.In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that loving donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, in Ellis' honor. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Friday, August 29, 2014 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855