James Richard Ellenberger, Jr.

James Richard Ellenberger, Jr. 64, of Weatherford, Texas, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Rick was born March 26, 1955, in El Paso, Texas, to James Richard, Sr. and Mary Brewster Ellenberger. 

He graduated from Tascosa High School and then TSTI in Amarillo as well as Navy Nuclear Power School before being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after 9 years of dedicated service. Rick worked for the City of Weatherford in the electric department and Tolzien’s Music in Amarillo. He was an electrical engineer for Lockheed Martin, Corning Inc. and AZZ, Inc. He was an associate pastor and music minister at Zion Hill Baptist for 24 years prior to placing membership with Community Baptist Church. As the chaplain of the American Legion Post 163, he was also involved with the American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and in his earlier years enjoyed hunting. 

Rick was preceded in death by his father, James Richard Ellenberger, Sr.; his siblings, Matthew Ellenberger, Russell Stambaugh, and Sondra Johnson; and step-father, Bill Stambaugh. 

He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Charlene Ellenberger; children, Michelle Lindsey and husband, Andy, Michael Nowell and wife, Malinda, Billy Ellenberger and wife, Veronica, and Rachael Costantino and husband, Chuck; mother, Mary Stambaugh; step-mother, Peggy Ellenberger; siblings, Julie Daily and partner, Lee Sumner, Mark Ellenberger and wife, Juliet, Mike Ellenberger and partner, Stephanie, and Mason Ellenberger and wife, Wanda; as well as his grandchildren, Scotty, Skylar, Katie, Kyzer, Claire, Samantha, Raelyn, James, Sara, Andrew, Ryan and JJ; great grandsons, Oli and Aidan, along with his sister in law, Susan Carroll; brother in law, James Thompson, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2020, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel. Funeral: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, also at Galbreaith Pickard.