A private family graveside service for Howell Dayne "Jim" Ellard will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:30a.m. at Algoma North Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Downs Funeral Home.

Howell Dayne "Jim" Ellard, 94, of Marshall, Texas passed away at his home on October 20, 2018. Mr. Ellard was born April 23, 1924 in Ladonia, Texas to John Frank Ellard and Allie Naomi Wolfe Ellard. Mr. Ellard married Jacqueline Lee O'Banion on June 28, 1946 in Atlanta, Texas. They were married for 51 years. They had two daughters.

Mr. Ellard was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and was a current member of Eastern Hills Church of Christ. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was the top turret gunner on his B-17 aircraft. His squadron was part of the 379th Heavy Bomb Group. On April 10, 1945 his aircraft was shot down over Germany during their 18th mission.  Mr. Ellard was on foot and behind enemy lines until he was rescued by a British Tank Patrol. After his service, Mr. Ellard worked for Texas A&M Extension Service before becoming a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, now a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He retired in 1979. He was a lifelong supporter of Texas Tech University and a member of the Red Raider Club.

Mr. Ellard is survived by his two daughters, Melissa McKee (Joe) of Farmersville, Texas, and Marianne Zschiesche (Will) of Dublin, Georgia; one sister, Laura Muckleroy of Jefferson; 6 grandchildren, Jay McKee, John McKee, Caitlin Craddock, Natalie Johnson, Zac Zschiesche, and Lindsey Rogers; 9 great-grandchildren, Claire McKee, Marshall McKee, Elin Craddock, Charlie B. Craddock, Lee Johnson, Davis Johnson, Tripp Rogers, Beau Rogers, and Molly Zschiesche.

Mr. Ellard is preceded in death by his wife and two sisters, Frances Ellard Green and Billie Ellard Hightower.