Ellis Meade Harnist

ARLINGTON -- Ellis Meade Harnist, 87, beloved father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2012, in Arlington. Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St., Arlington. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of choice. Ellis was born in San Antonio to Carl and Claudia Harnist. He graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth in 1941, and attended Texas Christian University and North Texas Agriculture College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946 in Europe and married Mary Brewer in March 1951 at First United Methodist Church of Christ in Fort Worth. A resident of Arlington since 1951, Ellis worked as a design engineer for General Dynamics for 39 years until his retirement. In his younger years he was an avid fisherman. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Ellis was a loving husband to Mary for 49 years until she preceded him in death Aug. 11, 2000. Survivors: Son, Ron Harnist and wife, Jodi, of Bedford and Gary Harnist and wife, Sharon, of Grand Prairie; and wonderful granddaughters, Kelci, Madison, Alixandra and Alyssa. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233