When you have a road in Corbett named after your family, you know "you have arrived!" Jim Ellis does not actually live on the road named after his family, but is thrilled to have his roots here. Having been raised and raising his own family in Corbett, he loves and appreciates the community on many levels. Jim graduated in 1961 from Corbett High and went to both Portland State Univ. and Oregon State Univ. before getting his degree in chemical engineering in 1967. Along the way he met and married Pat, from Sandy. Once married and graduated, they headed to Anacortes, Wa. and then Springfield, Or. for work. Jim's father passed in 1974 and his mom was struggling to keep the family farm in Corbett going. Jim and Pat decided to make a move back to Corbett to help his mom out. Jim got a job with a Portland area corporation, having to take a demotion to make the move back. It turned into a blessing because he stayed with the company 24 years, becoming the President and CEO! Along the way, he and Pat had two daughters, Kari and Angie. Having retired in 2003, Jim says living in Corbett has literally saved his life to a certain degree. Now retired since 2003, Jim says there were some very stressful years as the head of the company. The peace and serenity of the Corbett lifestyle was therapeutic on many levels. The home his grandfather and the home his father built are both nearby, as well as all the many wonderful childhood memories of growing up on the farm. Over the years, Jim has served four years on the Corbett School Board and is now the President of the Board for the Corbett Education Foundation. He also finds time to be an elder at his church. His goal in life continues to be focused on serving and helping others.
