Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Ellis Roger D 861118 p1
Pattersonite Killed in Crash; A single car accident about midmorning Saturday claimed the life of one young man from
Patterson. Roger Dale Ellis, nicknamed "John," died Saturday of extensive injuries suffered in the crash on East Las
Palmas Avenue. He was 20. Ellis was the driver of the eastbound auto that veered off the north side of the roadway and
struck a palm tree. No skid marks were found at the scene, and the CHP said no other vehicle was involved. The vehicle
apparently was being driven about 55 to 60 miles per hour, it was estimated at the scene. Seriously injured were brothers
Walter and Wendell Rice, ages 21 and 15 respectively. Walter was taken to Memorial North in Modesto, as was Ellis,
while Wendell was taken to Doctors Hospital, also in Modesto. He reportedly suffered head injuries.  The Rice brothers
are sons of former Patterson resident Wanda Floodeen, who has moved to the Moffett Field area. Two helicopters were
called to the scene, Medi-Flight from Memorial Hospital and Cal Star from San Jose which reportedly arrived here in 18
minutes. Local rescue workers required 35 minutes to remove Ellis from the vehicle.  The auto was registered to Noclia
Hurtado, 516 W Las Palmas Ave. That also was the address given for Ellis, who moved here in 1981 from Tulsa, Okla.
He previously attended Patterson High School and had been employed at Patterson Frozen Foods. A graveside service
will be held for Roger Dale Ellis today, Tuesday, at 3 p.m. at Patterson District Cemetery. The arrangements are being
handled by Hillview Funeral Chapel. Survivors include his mother, Patricia Ellis of Patterson; his father, Harold Ellis Sr.
of Oklahoma; two sisters, Lola Maxwell and Patricia Tamtlem, both of Oklahoma; and a brother, Harold Ellis Jr. of
Modesto. Donations to be used for funeral expenses may be sent to Patricia Ellis, P.O. Box 987. Patterson.