Joseph “Scott” Ellis of Sun City West, AZ passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2024. He will be remembered for his robust energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and love of adventures.

Scott was born January 26, 1943 to Joseph Craig Ellis and Joan Sears Ellis in St. Paul, MN. Scott was the eldest of the three Ellis brothers, with Randall “Randy” and Jeff “Corky” coming along as the family moved from Minneapolis to Chicago and Muncie, before settling in Westfield, NJ. In Westfield Scott excelled at football, formed lifelong friendships, and had a fair number of shenanigans! Scott attended Bucknell University, where he played college football, earned a Business Administration degree, and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After college, Scott bought and managed a gas station while pursuing his MBA at Seton Hall University.

Scott married Lee Weydemeyer Ellis in 1967 and they had two children together, Craig (b.1970) and Melissa (b.1976). In 1977, Scott and Lee moved from Maryland to California, where he was interested in the business opportunities growing in Silicon Valley. There he began a successful career that led to the founding of his company Icontec, which produced high speed interconnect systems for computers. Scott would stay in California for the next 25 years, loving the outdoors and weather on the west coast. The success of Icontec led him to a young retirement, and he was able to start new businesses and investments for decades after. Scott’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident throughout his life, always driven by an interest in new technology and the future.

In 1987 Scott married Laura Flath Rogers, after they reconnected at their 25th high school reunion in Westfield. Scott and Laura enjoyed many years of travel and outdoor activities, including a home and skiing in Tahoe, rafting the Grand Canyon, and trips to Alaska, Galapagos Islands, Europe, and Australia. They also owned Sunwolf, an outdoor recreation center in Squamish, British Columbia, where they shared their love of the outdoors with others.

In 2004, Scott and Laura retired to Sun City West, Arizona, where Scott remained actively involved in his community. He served on local boards, including as Chairman and Treasurer of RCSCW. He also developed a love for golfing and became a real estate agent working until 2023.

Scott will be remembered for his energy, storytelling, hard work, and love of sports, good food, and wine. Scott loved to read the newspaper and exercised every day, completing several marathons when he was younger, and was always ready for the next adventure. Scott was preceded in death by his parents Craig and Joan, and his two younger brothers, Randy and Corky. Scott is survived by his wife Laura, children Melissa Ellis (Erik Rissler), Craig Ellis (Marcey Ellis), Melissa  Rogers Ford, Robert Rogers (Allison Rogers) and grandchildren Rowan Ellis-Rissler, Adah Ellis-Rissler, Jonah Ellis-Rissler, and Phoebe Ellis-Rissler, Max Ellis, Henry Ellis, Makena Ford, Katelyn Ford, Hannah Rogers and Grace Rogers.