Jack Ellena obit

Jack Ellena Obituary

 

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Jack Duane Ellena Sr

 

Jack passed away in Palm Desert, California, March 23, 2012 at age 80. Born October 27, 1931 in Susanville, California to Fred & Betty Ellena, Jack spent his childhood in Lassen County living most of his youth in Standish. He graduated from Lassen Union High School and was honored as LUHS Alumni of the Year while his children attended there. Attending UCLA on a baseball scholarship, he then walked on to make the football team playing offensive and defensive tackle for Coach Red Sanders from 1952 to 1954. He was a member of the Bruins team that won the 1954 Rose Bowl and was named that year's FWAA & UPI national champions. Co-Captained UCLA's only National Championship football team that same year, Ellena was named to the College Football All-America Team and won the UPI Lineman of the Year. He was also 7th runner up for the Heisman Award in 1954. He was also inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to playing football for the Bruins, Ellena wrestled heavyweight at UCLA. He was a two-time Pacific Coast Intercollegiate heavyweight champ (1953, 1954), and placed fourth at the 1953 NCAA wrestling championships at Penn State, earning All-American honors. Jack married Jacquie Dumbauld, a Miss America Pageant contestant and Miss College Beauty Queen of America in 1953. Jack also enjoyed his lifetime of friendships acquired as a Delts Fraternity brother. After graduating from UCLA with his BS in Physical Education, Jack was selected in the 19th round (228th overall) of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams where he started as middle linebacker. He played guard and nose guard for the Rams from 1955 to 1956. The Rams were 9 and 3 that year and lost the NFL Championship to the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Rams until a career-ending knee injury in 1957. Jack coached football at Los Angeles State College and later at San Fernando Valley State College - now Cal State Northridge. His educational accomplishments were two master's degrees and a PHD in Education. Jack also did stunt work while living in Southern California, working in a number of TV shows and several movies. The best known movies being Ben Hur, Cleopatra, The Cincinnati Kid, Love and Kisses and many episodes of Combat, The Ozzie and Harriet Show and Wagon Train. Jack also served as Ricky Nelson's body guard for several years. After Jack's first season with the LA Rams in 1955, he and Jacquie purchased Mountain Meadow Ranch where they established a summer camp for children. The camp became their passion and remained so for over 30 years. Jack also served a term as President of the Western Association of Independent Camps. Jack was a counselor at Lassen College, and Dean of Students. Over the years, Jack enjoyed membership in the Lassen County Sheriff's Posse, Susanville Rotary Club, Elk's Club, Emerson Golf Club, Lake Almanor Country Club, and Ironwood Country Club. Together with his brothers he began Triple E Corporation, owning a number of motels over the years in Lassen and Modoc Counties. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Jacquie in 2002, four brothers and one sister. He is survived by his three children, Jack Jr, Jill and Julie, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild due in September and many nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jacquie's Kids, a non-profit scholarship fund established in honor of Jack's wife which helps send needy children to summer camp, at www.jacquieskids.org.