Rickey Lynn Ellis, 62, who fought a courageous battle with cancer for more than a decade, passed peacefully from this world Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Celebration of life: A private ceremony will be held for family and friends in Fort Worth, even though he and his wife relocated to the Houston area. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Rick was born in Fort Worth in 1949 to Alston and Kathryn Ellis. He was the oldest sibling to brother Randy Ellis and sister Jana Bural. He attended Paschal High School, was a member of the U.S. Navy and enjoyed a long, successful career as a car dealer in Fort Worth. A loving husband and father, Rick enjoyed family vacations and trips to Las Vegas. "Beeps" loved to see new things through his grandchildren's eyes, spending time with his two granddaughters between cancer treatments. We will be forever in awe of the man he was and the battle he fought. Our gratitude for his presence in our lives will last a lifetime. Survivors: Rick will be remembered by his wife of 38 years, Karen Ellis; daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Mark Thomas; granddaughters, McKenna and Madelynn Thomas; parents, Alston and Kathryn Ellis; siblings, Randy Ellis and Jana Bural; and a host of other family and friends.